Observation of the Polariton Drag Effect

ORAL

Abstract

In this work, we report the observation of polariton drag effect in a semiconductor structure that has been designed to maximize the light-matter coupling, the namely strong coupling of exciton-polaritons in a solid-state microcavity. We show that collisions of polaritons with the free electrons results in a change in the angle of emission of the photons from the cavity structure. The effect is asymmetric, significantly slowing down the polaritons when they move oppositely to the electrons, while the polaritons are only slightly accelerated by electrons moving in the same direction. In conclusion, we have demonstrated proof of principle that a DC current can directly alter the momentum of photons moving in the cavity; this has the direct effect of changing the angle of emission. This polariton drag effect is beam steering using a DC current to tune the angle of a light beam since the experiment is a photon-in, photon-out system.

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Presenters

  • Burcu OZDEN

    Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of Pittsburgh

Authors

  • Burcu OZDEN

    Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of Pittsburgh

  • David Myers

    University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of PIttsburgh, Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of Pittsburgh

  • Jonathan Beaumariage

    University of Pittsburgh, Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of Pittsburgh

  • David Snoke

    University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of PIttsburgh, Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Physics, University of Pittsburgh

  • Loren Pfeiffer

    Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton University, Princeton Univ, Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, PRISM, Princeton University, Physics, Princeton University, Electrical Engineering, Princeton

  • Kenneth West

    Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton University, Princeton Univ, Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, PRISM, Princeton University, Physics, University of Pittsburgh, Electrical Engineering, Princeton