Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
Polarization bistability and resultant spin rings in semiconductor microcavities
D Sarkar1, S S Gavrilov, M Sich
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom.
Pump laser polarization controls polariton interactions in semiconductor microcavities. This leads to spin rings and spatial patterns, explained by a semiclassical model including exciton reservoir effects.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum optics
- Semiconductor physics
Background:
- Polaritons in semiconductor microcavities exhibit unique quantum phenomena.
- Spin-dependent interactions influence polariton behavior and light-matter coupling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of pump laser polarization on polariton transmission.
- To explore the control of internal polarization and spatial patterns in microcavities.
- To model the observed phenomena using effective semiclassical equations.
Main Methods:
- Experimental transmission measurements of pump laser resonant with the lower polariton branch.
- Varying pump power and degree of circular polarization.
- Development and application of a phenomenological model with effective semiclassical equations of motion.
Main Results:
- Polariton transmission is highly sensitive to pump laser's circular polarization.
- Polariton-polariton interactions exhibit spin-dependent anisotropy, enabling polarization control.
- Polarization bistability leads to the formation of spatial patterns, specifically spin rings.
- A semiclassical model incorporating exciton reservoir interactions accurately describes experimental observations.
Conclusions:
- Pump polarization is a critical parameter for controlling polariton dynamics in microcavities.
- Spin-dependent interactions and exciton reservoir effects are essential for understanding observed phenomena.
- The study demonstrates a method for generating controlled spatial patterns through polarization engineering.
Related Concept Videos
Biasing of Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
Valence Bond Theory
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
Carrier Generation and Recombination
This process is given by the generation rate G and is efficient due to the conservation of momentum between the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum.
Indirect generation involves an...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes

