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A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
07:56

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Published on: September 5, 2019

Polariton condensates put in motion.

D Sanvitto1, A Amo, F P Laussy

  • 1Departamento de Física de Materiales, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. daniele.sanvitto@uam.es

Nanotechnology
|March 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We observed superfluid behavior in a moving polariton condensate by colliding it with obstacles. Below a critical velocity, scattering was suppressed, but above it, shock waves and condensate disruption occurred.

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Area of Science:

  • Quantum physics
  • Condensed matter physics
  • Semiconductor microcavities

Background:

  • Polariton condensates exhibit superfluid properties.
  • Understanding their behavior in dynamic conditions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the superfluid behavior of a moving polariton condensate.
  • To probe its interaction with physical obstacles and identify critical velocity effects.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental setup involving a moving polariton condensate in semiconductor microcavities.
  • Collision of the condensate with natural sample defects acting as obstacles.
  • Observation of scattering suppression and shock wave formation.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated suppression of scattering below a critical flow velocity.
  • Observed Cerenkov-like shock waves around defects at higher velocities.
  • Noted disruption of the polariton condensate above the critical velocity.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms the superfluid nature of polariton condensates.
  • It highlights the existence of a critical velocity governing their interaction with obstacles.
  • Reveals distinct phenomena like shock waves occurring beyond this critical velocity.