Lasing in optically induced gap states in photonic graphene

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates polariton lasing in optically induced localized gap states within a photonic honeycomb lattice, revealing how optical potentials can create and control defect states without physical modifications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to generate and study localized gap states in photonic graphene using optical excitation, avoiding additional lattice engineering.

Findings

Polariton lasing observed in optically induced gap states

Localized modes shaped by orbital angular momentum and lattice symmetry

Optical potential enables defect state engineering in 2D photonic lattices

Abstract

We report polariton lasing in localised gap states in a honeycomb lattice of coupled micropillars. Localisation of the modes is induced by the optical potential created by the excitation beam, requiring no additional engineering of the otherwise homogeneous polariton lattice. The spatial shape of the gap states arises from the interplay of the orbital angular momentum eigenmodes of the cylindrical potential created by the excitation beam and the hexagonal symmetry of the underlying lattice. Our results provide insights into the engineering of defect states in two-dimensional lattices.