Nonequilibrium states of polariton superfluids (2016-2019)
Abstract
Polaritons are hybrid particles of light and matter that exist in thin layers of a semiconductor. At high densities they form a superfluid, exhibiting quantised whirlpools and frictionless flow. This proposal aims to design novel nonequilibrium states of a polariton superfluid, and to identify why some are more robust than others. Furthermore, we aim to realise these states in the laboratory. The project addresses one of the grand challenges of physics - predicting and controlling the emergent properties of materials far from equilibrium. The anticipated outcome is the generation of fundamental knowledge, which can be used to guide the design of polaritonic devices in the future.
