Twist of generalized skyrmions and spin vortices in a polariton superfluid (original) (raw)

ADS

;

• Dominici, Lorenzo ;
• Dagvadorj, Galbadrakh ;
• Ballarini, Dario ;
• De Giorgi, Milena ;
• Bramati, Alberto ;
• Gigli, Giuseppe ;
• Rubo, Yuri G. ;
• Szymańska, Marzena Hanna ;
• Sanvitto, Daniele

Abstract

Spin vortices and skyrmions are topological states in exotic phases of matter such as superconductors and superfluids. In these complex states, the spin and orbital angular momentum are both quantized and mixed, resulting in variegated polarization textures. Here we create these composite states in a fluid made of light and matter quasi-particles, polaritons, and demonstrate their reshaping in ultrafast time scales. To describe these dynamics we propose the idea of generalized vortices, a fundamental concept in topology that can be relevant also for applications in the fields of quantum fluids, spintronics, and optical polarization shaping.

Publication:

Proceedings of the National Academy of Science

Pub Date:

December 2016

DOI:

10.1073/pnas.1610123114

10.48550/arXiv.1701.00157

arXiv:

arXiv:1701.00157

Bibcode:

2016PNAS..11314926D

Keywords:

• quantum vortices;
• topology;
• Poincaré space;
• condensates;
• polaritons;
• Condensed Matter - Quantum Gases;
• Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics;
• Physics - Optics

E-Print:

8 pages, 4 figures, SI 3 pages, SI 6 movies at http://www.pnas.org/content/113/52/14926?tab=ds and https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0QCllnLqdyBUkVaSFpqSHB0cHM