Boson Josephson Junctions based on Exciton-Polariton Condensates

Abstract

This dissertation is a theoretical treatise on the Josephson effect in dilute quantum gases of excitons and exciton-polaritons. An exciton is a kind of elementary excitation in semiconductors, which, through strong coupling with photons, can form a light-matter hybrid particle called an exciton-polariton. Similar to superconducting systems, excitons and exciton-polaritons show superfluidity and phase coherence in their Bose-Einstein condensates, which allows us to explore macroscopic quantum phenomena such as the Josephson effect. This dissertation surveys the existing experiments of polariton Josephson junctions, focusing on optical control, and proposes an alternative method focusing on electrical control. A theoretical model unifying the two approaches is developed based on the microscopic mechanisms of exciton-polaritons. The unique dynamics of the proposed device, including the switching between oscillation modes, the externally driven and intrinsic chaotic behaviors, are discussed in detail.