Bright sink-type localized states in exciton-polariton condensates

TL;DR

This paper explores the existence and properties of sink-type localized states in one-dimensional exciton-polariton condensates, revealing their unique features and conditions for formation in dissipative nonlinear systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of sink solutions in exciton-polariton condensates with repulsive interactions and shows how they can be generated through specific pumping profiles.

Findings

Sinks resemble bright solitons but are qualitatively different objects.

Sinks do not appear in two-dimensional systems due to vortex proliferation.

Realistic creation of sinks is possible with designed pumping profiles.

Abstract

The family of one-dimensional localized solutions to dissipative nonlinear equations includes a variety of objects such as sources, sinks, shocks (kinks), and pulses. These states are in general accompanied by nontrivial density currents, which are not necessarily related to the movement of the object itself. We investigate the existence and physical properties of sink-type solutions in nonresonantly pumped exciton-polariton condensates modeled by an open-dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation. While sinks possess density profiles similar to bright solitons, they are qualitatively different objects as they exist in the case of repulsive interactions and represent a heteroclinic solution. We show that sinks can be created in realistic systems with appropriately designed pumping profiles. We also conclude that in two-dimensional configurations, due to the proliferation of vortices, sinks do not appear.