Steady-state theory of electron drag on polariton condensates

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive theoretical framework to describe how a moving thermal bath influences a polariton condensate, explaining observed drag effects and energy shifts caused by electric currents.

Contribution

It introduces a general theory of condensate drag due to interactions with a thermal bath, extending previous models to polariton systems and explaining experimental observations.

Findings

The theory models momentum transfer from electric current to polariton condensate.

It predicts measurable energy shifts in the condensate due to drag effects.

Provides a unified approach to understanding condensate-bath interactions.

Abstract

We present a general theory of drag on a condensate due to interactions with a moving thermal bath of non-condensate particles, adapted from previous theory of equilibration of a condensate in a trap. This theory can be used to model the polariton drag effect observed previously, in which an electric current passing through a polariton condensate gives a measurable momentum transfer to the condensate, and an effective potential energy shift.