21-000000247 Topological polaritonics via polariton-polariton interactions
Abstract
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE We propose to extend the palette of topological phenomena to low-dimensional excitonic materials strongl,y hybridized with highly engineered periodic photonic potentials to achieve nontrivial topology via new coupling mechanisms. The non,linear "half-matter-half-light" nature of strongly coupled polaritons and their strong interparticle interactions will be exploited, to drive the system into precisely engineered states with dynamically reconfigurable spin-dependent properties. Advantages of topol,ogical photonics are flexibility of design unconstrained by lattice mismatch, heterogeneous material integration, probing elusive sy,mmetries and direct measurement of band structure, eigenstates and properties. However, a major drawback of photonic structures is t,heir weak interaction to external fields and linearity which limits their applications in photonic devices. Polaritons are a promisi,ng platform as they combine the unique attributes of both photons and material excitations such as excitons, which endow them with h,igh nonlinearities and a strong response to externally applied fields. Therefore, new materials platforms need to be developed and i,nvestigated to enable field-tunable topological polaritonics with novel properties. Our proposed research will significantly expand, the materials toolkit and device design principles to open, non-equilibrium photonic systems with robust and field-tunable topologi,cal properties that can support unique excitations and can also enable backscattering free transport of optical excitations. The pro,blem of open, non-equilibrium systems has not been studied especially from the perspective of quantum geometry of the band manifold, and associated topological classification and the effect of these bands when coupled to the outside world. Light-matter coupled sys,tems form a natural system to study these non-equilibrium aspects as they are constantly being pumped and undergo dissipation leadin,g to complex broadened transitions. These symmetry-derived nonlinear hybrid materials will enable actively controlled systems with u,nique nonlinear functionality features when coupled with topologically optimized photonic environment and geometrical configurations,, exploring myriad elusive symmetry paradigms that are otherwise deemed impossible in condensed matter systems. Based on our recent, results on novel helical topological phase polaritons, we will endow photonic lattices with symmetry-driven topological protection, designed by tight-binding models and electromagnetic simulations and extend to different materials, geometries under the strongly n,onlinear polariton-polariton interaction limit. Experimental demonstration of new nonlinear topological exciton-polarit, topological phase transitions, characterization of band structures and edge states via Fourier and real-space microscopy will be pe,rformed. Studies of new topological phases and transitions between them as a function of polarization, polariton coupling, symmetry, and electric fields will be demonstrated. Extension of our ideas to achieve quantum geometry induced nonlinear Bose-Einstein conden,sation of polaritons will be undertaken, which in addition to creating ultralow power lasers will also provide insights into the rol,e of flat band geometry and its relationships to superconductivity and superfluidity. The proposed, strongly coupled and nonlinear h,ybrid systems are also useful for novel types of switchable waveguides, routers and modulators with robust properties, that can be u,sed to build the next generation of integrated photonic devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212378
Entities
People
- Ritesh Agarwal
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Pennsylvania