Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
Vortex lattices in coherently pumped polariton microcavities
A V Gorbach1, R Hartley, D V Skryabin
1Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials, Department of Physics, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.
We discovered novel polaritonic vortex lattices in semiconductor microcavities. These stable structures, formed by parametric conversion, offer new possibilities for light-matter interactions.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Semiconductor Physics
Background:
- Polaritons are quasiparticles formed from the strong coupling of photons and excitons in semiconductor microcavities.
- Vortex lattices are ordered arrangements of quantized vortices, crucial in superfluids and superconductors.
- Parametric conversion offers a route to engineer novel quantum states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and theoretically confirm a new class of polaritonic vortex lattices.
- To investigate the formation and stability of these lattices in semiconductor microcavities.
- To explore the conditions under which these polaritonic structures melt.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of polariton dynamics in wide aperture microcavities.
- Analytical modeling of parametric conversion processes.
- Analysis of vortex lattice formation and stability under strong coupling conditions.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the existence of stable polaritonic vortex lattices.
- Confirmed the robustness of these lattices in practically relevant microcavity settings.
- Identified key parameters influencing lattice formation and melting scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Polaritonic vortex lattices can be realized and controlled in semiconductor microcavities.
- These findings open new avenues for exploring exotic quantum states of light-matter systems.
- The study provides a theoretical foundation for experimental realization and further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
Standing Waves in a Cavity
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Trends in Lattice Energy: Ion Size and Charge
Atomic Nuclei: Larmor Precession Frequency
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor

