Electrodynamic duality and vortex unbinding in driven-dissipative condensates

We investigate the superfluid properties of two-dimensional driven Bose liquids, such as polariton condensates, using their long-wavelength description in terms of a compact Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation for the phase dynamics. We account for topological defects (vortices) in the phase field th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B 2016-09, Vol.94 (10), Article 104520
Main Authors: Wachtel, G., Sieberer, L. M., Diehl, S., Altman, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Fluids
Mathematical analysis
Nonlinearity
Scaling
Superfluidity
Vortices
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Summary:We investigate the superfluid properties of two-dimensional driven Bose liquids, such as polariton condensates, using their long-wavelength description in terms of a compact Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation for the phase dynamics. We account for topological defects (vortices) in the phase field through a duality mapping between the compact KPZ equation and a theory of nonlinear electrodynamics coupled to charges. Using the dual theory, we derive renormalization group equations that describe vortex unbinding in these media. When the nonequilibirum drive is turned off, the KPZ nonlinearity [lambda] vanishes and the RG flow gives the usual Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) transition. On the other hand, with nonlinearity [lambda] > 0 vortices always unbind, even if the same system with [lambda] = 0 is superfluid. We predict the finite-size scaling behavior of the superfluid stiffness in the crossover governed by vortex unbinding showing its clear distinction from the scaling associated with the KT transition.
ISSN:2469-9950
2469-9969
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.94.104520