Vortex multistability and Bessel vortices in polariton condensates

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence of multistability of vortices with different topological charges in polariton condensates, revealing complex nonlinear feedback mechanisms and introducing Bessel vortices with self-stabilizing properties.

Contribution

It uncovers vortex multistability with multiple stable topological charges in polariton condensates and introduces Bessel vortices with unique phase and stabilization features.

Findings

Multiple stable vortices with charges |m|=1, 2, 3 in the same system.

Bessel vortices with spiraling phase and self-stabilization.

Multistability rooted in nonlinear feedback between reservoir and condensate.

Abstract

Vortices are topological objects formed in coherent nonlinear systems. As such they are studied in a wide number of physical systems and promise applications in information storage, processing, and communication. In semiconductor microcavities, vortices in polariton condensates can be conveniently created, studied, and manipulated using solely optical means. For non-resonant excitation with a ring-shaped pump a stable vortex can be formed, leading to bistability with left- and righthanded vorticity. In the present work we report on a much richer vortex multistability, with optically addressable vortices with topological charges |m|=1, 2, and 3, all stable for the same system and excitation parameters. This unusual multistable behavior is rooted in the inherent nonlinear feedback between reservoir excitations and condensate in the microcavity. For larger radius of the ring shaped pump we also find a Bessel vortex with its characteristic spiralling phase in the high density region and pronounced self-stabilization ability. Our theoretical results open up exciting possibilities for optical manipulation of vortex multiplets in a compact semiconductor system.