Polarization-anisotropy induced spatial anisotropy of polariton amplification in planar semiconductor microcavities

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how polarization anisotropy can induce spatial anisotropy in polariton amplification within isotropic microcavities, driven by TE-TM splitting and spin-dependent scattering.

Contribution

It reveals a novel mechanism where polarization anisotropy causes spatial anisotropy in polariton amplification in microcavities.

Findings

Polarization anisotropy leads to spatial anisotropy in amplification.

TE-TM splitting influences polariton scattering.

Spin-dependent interactions are key to the effect.

Abstract

Based on a microscopic many-particle theory we investigate the amplification of polaritons in planar semiconductor microcavities. We study a spatially perfectly isotropic microcavity system and excitation geometry. For this system, our analysis shows that a pump-induced vectorial polarization anisotropy can lead to a spatial anisotropy in the stimulated amplification of polaritons. This effect is brought about by the interplay of the longitudinal-transverse cavity mode splitting (TE-TM splitting) and the spin-dependence of the polariton-polariton scattering processes.