Non-reciprocal Exciton-Polariton Ring Lattices

TL;DR

This paper presents a phenomenological theory demonstrating how local non-Hermiticity in exciton-polariton ring lattices induces non-reciprocal propagation and topological effects, despite Hermitian coupling.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism where local non-Hermiticity leads to non-reciprocal behavior and topological invariants in exciton-polariton ring lattices.

Findings

Non-reciprocal one-way propagation observed in ring lattices.

Local non-Hermiticity induces effective non-reciprocal coupling.

Supports a non-Hermitian topological invariant (winding number).

Abstract

Recent experiments have shown the transfer of orbital angular momentum (OAM) from a non-resonant laser onto an exciton-polariton condensate, despite earlier views that the phase information of such a laser should be lost during the process of polariton condensation. We study with a phenomenological theory the interplay of a usual angular momentum independent gain and an angular momentum preserving gain. We find that even when the latter is much smaller, it is enough to favour condensation into a given orbital angular momentum state. This further allows a breaking of symmetry in the system, which further manifests in non-reciprocal one-way propagation in a lattice of coupled rings. Even though we consider only Hermitian reciprocal coupling between rings, the local non-Hermiticity generates an effective non-reciprocal coupling and supports a non-Hermitian topological invariant (winding number) associated to a non-Hermitian skin effect.