Inhomogeneous mass trap for dark-state polaritons in atomic media

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to create a trapping potential for dark-state polaritons using inhomogeneous effective mass in atomic media, enabling advanced control and potential Bose-Einstein condensation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to trap dark-state polaritons via engineered mass inhomogeneity, advancing control over their spatial and coherent properties.

Findings

Trapping potential can be generated from mass inhomogeneity.

Control fields can tune the effective mass spatially.

Potential pathway to Bose-Einstein condensation of polaritons.

Abstract

The generation of a trapping potential for dark-state polaritons in a two-dimensional electromagnetically induced transparency system is theoretically studied. We show that such a trap can arise from a spatially inhomogeneous effective mass of the dark-state polariton. Because this mass inhomogeneity can be engineered by tuning the parameters of the control fields, the motion, spatial profile, and coherent behavior of bound dark-state polaritons can be tailored accordingly. Our results enable spatial controls of optical information and provide a possible route toward realizing Bose-Einstein condensation of dark-state polaritons in a trapping potential.