Optical Bistability of Quantum Confined Modes in a Two-Dimensional Exciton–Polariton System
Abstract
Exciton polaritons in a planar quantum well excited by a normally incident resonant light wave have been considered. Due to the nonlinearity caused by interparticle interactions, the optical response of a laterally homogeneous polariton system is bistable. It has been found that additional stability branches, characterized by different field distributions, can arise even in an effectively spinless system in the case where polariton motion in the quantum well plane is bounded by potential barriers. Fast and well controlled transitions between these branches are possible upon varying the frequency or amplitude of the incident wave. Such transitions have been experimentally demonstrated in a high- Q GaAs microcavity with a 60-μm square mesa.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Strong Light-Matter Interactions
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics Letters
- Publisher
- Pleiades Publishing Ltd
- Volume
- 123
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 244–250
- Publication date
- 1 February 2026
- Language
- EN