Optically driven rotation of exciton-polariton condensates

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates GHz-frequency optical rotation of exciton-polariton condensates, enabling controlled vortex nucleation and opening new avenues for studying non-Hermitian superfluid phenomena in photonic systems.

Contribution

It introduces a method to rotate polariton condensates at high frequencies using structured laser interference, achieving controlled vortex nucleation and angular momentum transfer.

Findings

Achieved GHz-frequency optical rotation of polariton condensates

Demonstrated deterministic nucleation of quantized vortices

Measured angular momentum exceeding 1ħ per particle

Abstract

The rotational response of quantum condensed fluids is strikingly distinct from rotating classical fluids, especially notable for the excitation and ordering of quantized vortex ensembles. Although widely studied in conservative systems, the dynamics of rotating open-dissipative superfluids such as exciton-polariton condensates remain largely unexplored, as it requires high-frequency rotation whilst avoiding resonantly driving the condensate. We create a rotating polariton condensate at GHz frequencies by off-resonantly pumping with a rotating optical stirrer composed of the time-dependent interference of two frequency-offset, structured laser modes. Acquisition of angular momentum exceeding the critical $1\hbar$/particle is directly measured, accompanied by the deterministic nucleation and capture of quantized vortices with a handedness controlled by the pump rotation direction. The demonstration of controlled optical rotation of a spontaneously formed polariton condensate enables new opportunities for the study of open-dissipative superfluidity, ordering of non-Hermitian quantized vortex matter, and topological states in a highly non-linear, photonic platform.