Kibble-Zurek mechanism in topologically non-trivial zigzag chains of polariton micropillars

TL;DR

This paper explores how the Kibble-Zurek mechanism influences polarization domain formation and soliton emergence in topologically non-trivial zigzag polariton chains, revealing new insights into non-adiabatic condensation processes.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of TE-TM splitting in creating topologically protected edge states and links the Kibble-Zurek mechanism to polarization domain formation and soliton dynamics in polariton chains.

Findings

Polariton edge states are topologically protected due to TE-TM splitting.

Polarization domains form during non-adiabatic condensation, with solitons acting as domain walls.

Soliton density follows a power-law scaling with quench rate.

Abstract

We consider a zigzag chain of coupled micropillar cavities, taking into account the polarization of polariton states. We show that the TE-TM splitting of photonic cavity modes yields topologically protected polariton edge states. During the strongly non-adiabatic process of polariton condensation, the Kibble-Zurek mechanism leads to a random choice of polarization, equivalent to dimerization of polymer chains. We show that dark-bright solitons appear as domain walls between polarization domains, analogous to the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger solitons in polymers. The soliton density scales as a power law with respect to the quenching parameter.