Polariton Condensate Transistor Switch

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a polariton condensate transistor switch that uses optical excitation and gating to control polariton flux, highlighting its potential for all-optical integrated circuits due to low loss propagation and strong nonlinearities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel polariton transistor switch mechanism utilizing optical gating in a microcavity ridge, advancing all-optical circuit components.

Findings

Successful optical gating of polariton flux

Controlled polariton flow with a second beam

Potential for integration into optical circuits

Abstract

A polariton condensate transistor switch is realized through optical excitation of a microcavity ridge with two beams. The ballistically ejected polaritons from a condensate formed at the source are gated using the 20 times weaker second beam to switch on and off the flux of polaritons. In the absence of the gate beam the small built-in detuning creates potential landscape in which ejected polaritons are channelled toward the end of the ridge where they condense. The low loss photon-like propagation combined with strong nonlinearities associated with their excitonic component makes polariton based transistors particularly attractive for the implementation of all-optical integrated circuits.