An exciton-polariton mediated all-optical router

TL;DR

This paper introduces an all-optical router utilizing exciton-polariton condensates in semiconductor microcavities, enabling polarization-selective routing based on energy resonance with minibands or gaps.

Contribution

It presents a novel exciton-polariton based optical router with polarization selectivity, controlled by energy resonance and magnetic fields, advancing integrated optical communication technology.

Findings

Demonstrates polarization-selective routing using exciton-polariton condensates.

Shows control of optical signals via energy resonance with minibands or gaps.

Proposes a new microcavity-based all-optical switching mechanism.

Abstract

We propose an all-optical nonlinear router based on a double barrier gate connected to periodically modulated guides. A semiconductor microcavity is driven nonresonantly in-between the barriers to form an exciton-polariton condensate on a discrete state that is subject to the exciton blueshift. The subsequent coherent optical signal is allowed to propagate through a guide provided that the condensate energy is resonant with a miniband or is blocked if it faces a gap. While a symmetric sample operates as an optical switch, its asymmetric counterpart embodies a router turned to be polarization selective under applied magnetic field.