Mean-field description of multicomponent exciton-polariton superfluids

TL;DR

This review discusses the mean-field polarization properties of multicomponent exciton-polariton condensates, focusing on spin dynamics, phase transitions, and vortex structures in quasi-equilibrium conditions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of polarization phenomena, phase transitions, and fractional vortices in multicomponent exciton-polariton superfluids, including recent findings on warped half-vortices.

Findings

Analysis of polarization state changes and phase transitions under Zeeman field.

Description of fractional vortices and their geometrical features.

Recent results on warping of fields around half-vortices.

Abstract

This is a review of spin-dependent (polarization) properties of multicomponent exciton-polariton condensates in conditions when quasi-equilibrium mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii description can be applied. Mainly two-component (spin states $\pm1$) polariton condensates are addressed, but some properties of four-component exciton condensates, having both the bright (spin $\pm1$) and the dark (spin $\pm2$) components, are discussed. Change of polarization state of the condensate and phase transitions in applied Zeeman field are described. The properties of fractional vortices are given, in particular, I present recent results on the warping of the field around half-vortices in the presence of longitudinal-transverse splitting of bare polariton bands, and discuss the geometrical features of warped half-vortices (in the framework of the lemon, monstar, and star classification).