Incoherent excitation and switching of spin states in exciton-polariton condensates

TL;DR

This paper explores the spin dynamics of exciton-polariton condensates under non-resonant optical pumping, revealing mechanisms for spin switching, control, and the formation of complex spin textures through theoretical and numerical analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a mean-field model demonstrating spin state control and symmetry breaking in exciton-polariton condensates with potential applications to coupled condensate systems.

Findings

Existence of phase-locked steady states enables spin switching.

Spatial inhomogeneity induces symmetry breaking and spin textures.

Model applicable to coupled condensate systems in double-well potentials.

Abstract

We investigate, theoretically and numerically, the spin dynamics of a two-component exciton-polariton condensate created and sustained by non-resonant spin-polarized optical pumping of a semiconductor microcavity. Using the open-dissipative mean-field model, we show that the existence of well defined phase-locked steady states of the condensate may lead to efficient switching and control of spin (polarization) states with a non-resonant excitation. Spatially inhomogeneous pulsed excitations can cause symmetry breaking in the pseudo-spin structure of the condensate and lead to formation of non-trivial spin textures. Our model is universally applicable to two weakly coupled polariton condensates, and therefore can also describe the behaviour of condensate populations and phases in 'double-well' type potentials.