Ultra-low threshold polariton condensation

TL;DR

This paper reports the achievement of polariton condensation at a threshold two orders of magnitude lower than previous efforts, enabled by long cavity lifetime and optimized geometries, advancing low-threshold coherent light sources.

Contribution

It demonstrates ultra-low threshold polariton condensation using specific cavity and pumping configurations, significantly reducing the required pump intensity.

Findings

Condensation occurs at two orders of magnitude lower pump intensity.

Long cavity lifetime and trapping geometries are key to low-threshold condensation.

Results suggest potential for even lower threshold polariton lasers.

Abstract

We demonstrate condensation of microcavity polaritons with a very sharp threshold occuring at two orders of magnitude lower pump intensity than previous demonstrations of condensation. The long cavity-lifetime and trapping and pumping geometries are crucial to the realization of this low threshold. Polariton condensation, or "polariton lasing" has long been proposed as a promising source of coherent light at lower threshold than traditional lasing, and these results suggest methods to bring this threshold even lower.