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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
Valley coherent exciton-polaritons in a monolayer semiconductor
S Dufferwiel1, T P Lyons2, D D Solnyshkov3
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK. s.dufferwiel@sheffield.ac.uk.
Researchers embedded WSe2 in an optical microcavity to create exciton-polaritons. This enhanced valley coherence, enabling better control over information transfer in 2D materials.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) enable valley coherence for information transfer.
- Excitons in TMDs have short lifetimes and lose coherence due to electron-hole exchange interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate methods for controlling and extending valley coherence in TMDs.
- To explore the use of optical microcavities to enhance exciton properties.
Main Methods:
- Embedding monolayer WSe2 in an optical microcavity to form exciton-polaritons.
- Optical initialization of valley coherent polariton populations.
- Applying external magnetic fields and selective exciton-cavity mode detuning.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated optical initialization of valley coherent polaritons.
- Achieved a linear polarization degree up to 3 times higher than bare excitons.
- Controlled polariton valley pseudospin vector rotation up to 45° at 8 T.
Conclusions:
- Embedding TMDs in optical microcavities enhances valley coherence and polarization.
- Exciton-polaritons offer a platform for engineering valley pseudospin dynamics.
- This work provides insights into decoherence mechanisms and potential for valleytronics.
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