Persistent current induced by quantum light

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates that strong coupling between an electron gas and quantum light in systems with broken time-reversal symmetry can induce dissipationless electron flow, leading to a form of unconventional superconductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum macroscopic phenomenon where electron-photon bound states prevent backscattering, suggesting a new mechanism for superconductivity.

Findings

Electron-photon bound states prevent elastic backscattering.

Dissipationless electron flow is achievable in certain conditions.

Unconventional superconductivity can arise from strong light-matter coupling.

Abstract

It is demonstrated that the strong coupling of an electron gas to photons in systems with broken time-reversal symmetry results in bound electron-photon states which cannot be backscattered elastically. As a consequence, the electron gas can flow without dissipation. This quantum macroscopic phenomenon leads to the unconventional superconductivity which is analyzed theoretically for a two-dimensional electron system in a semiconductor quantum well exposed to an in-plane magnetic field.