Optics Masterclass – Quantum Fluids of Light – Dr. Alejandro Soto Zamora

The next optics masterclass organised by Imperial College Optics Society (ICOS) will be given by Dr. Alejandro Soto Zamora from UCL on “Quantum Fluids of Light” on Tuesday 26th February at 2pm in Blackett 539. Please see the details below. As always, the session is aimed at graduate students and younger researchers although anyone is welcome to attend (no need to book). Drinks and snacks provided. 

Abstract:

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‘Quantum fluids of light’

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Driven-dissipative systems in two dimensions can differ substantially from their equilibrium counterparts. Particularly, quantum fluids of light, such as exciton-polaritons in microcavities, constitute paradigmatic cases of non-equilibirum physics. These quantum systems, which appear as a consequence of the hybridization between light and excitons, are not isolated due to the existence of i) an external pumping laser that maintains a finite density of polaritons ii) a non-zero dissipation due to the leaking of cavity photons through the mirrors. The subtle interplay between the external drive and the cavity losses may drive the system to exotic and genuinely non-equilibrium phases. Moreover, demonstrations of polariton lattices in semiconductor microcavities, in combination with their extraordinary non-linear properties, place these quantum-fluids of light as one of the most promising candidates to achieve quantum simulation in compact on-chip scalable platforms. In this lecture I will give an introduction to the physics of quantum fluids of light and the different techniques in order to study the static and dynamical properties of such non-equilibrium systems. I will review the state of the art of this particular field and will mention different open questions and future research topics concerning microcavity polaritons and non-equilibrium systems. 

You can find out more about ICOS at our web page:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/photonics/about-us/optical-society/