Polariton condensation in dynamic acoustic lattices

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Sep 10;105(11):116402. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.116402. Epub 2010 Sep 9.

Abstract

We demonstrate that the tunable potential introduced by a surface acoustic wave on a homogeneous polariton condensate leads to fragmentation of the condensate into an array of wires which move with the acoustic velocity. Reduction of the spatial coherence of the condensate emission along the surface acoustic wave direction is attributed to the suppression of coupling between the spatially modulated condensates. Interparticle interactions observed at high polariton densities screen the acoustic potential, partially reversing its effect on spatial coherence.