Intrinsic decoherence mechanisms in the microcavity polariton condensate

The fundamental mechanisms which control the phase coherence of the polariton Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) are determined. It is shown that the combination of number fluctuations and interactions leads to decoherence with a characteristic Gaussian decay of the first-order correlation function. Thi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2008-08, Vol.101 (6), p.067404-067404, Article 067404
Main Authors: Love, A P D, Krizhanovskii, D N, Whittaker, D M, Bouchekioua, R, Sanvitto, D, Rizeiqi, S Al, Bradley, R, Skolnick, M S, Eastham, P R, André, R, Dang, Le Si
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Physics
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The fundamental mechanisms which control the phase coherence of the polariton Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) are determined. It is shown that the combination of number fluctuations and interactions leads to decoherence with a characteristic Gaussian decay of the first-order correlation function. This line shape, and the long decay times ( approximately 150 ps) of both first- and second-order correlation functions, are explained quantitatively by a quantum-optical model which takes into account interactions, fluctuations, and gain and loss in the system. Interaction limited coherence times of this type have been predicted for atomic BECs, but are yet to be observed experimentally.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.101.067404