Microcavity Polaritons for Quantum simulation

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of semiconductor microcavity polaritons as a platform for quantum simulation, emphasizing their nonlinear dynamics, control of interactions, and potential to explore non-equilibrium physics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent experimental advances and discusses how polariton systems can be engineered for quantum simulation applications.

Findings

Polaritons obey a nonlinear Schrödinger equation enabling fluid-like behavior.

Landmark experiments demonstrate control over potential and interactions.

Polariton systems offer a versatile platform for exploring non-equilibrium quantum physics.

Abstract

Quantum simulations are one of the pillars of quantum technologies. These simulations provide insight in fields as varied as high energy physics, many-body physics, or cosmology to name only a few. Several platforms, ranging from ultracold-atoms to superconducting circuits through trapped ions have been proposed as quantum simulators. This article reviews recent developments in another well established platform for quantum simulations: polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. These quasiparticles obey a nonlinear Schr\"odigner equation (NLSE), and their propagation in the medium can be understood in terms of quantum hydrodynamics. As such, they are considered as "fluids of light". The challenge of quantum simulations is the engineering of configurations in which the potential energy and the nonlinear interactions in the NLSE can be controlled. Here, we revisit some landmark experiments with polaritons in microcavities, discuss how the various properties of these systems may be used in quantum simulations, and highlight the richness of polariton systems to explore non-equilibrium physics