Experimental characterization of nonlocal photon fluids

Year: 2015

Authors: Vocke D., Roger T., Marino F., Wright EM., Carusotto I., Clerici M., Faccio D.

Autors Affiliation: Heriot Watt Univ, Inst Photon & Quantum Sci, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Midlothian, Scotland; CNR INO, I-50025 Florence, Italy; Univ Arizona, Coll Opt Sci, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA; Univ Trento, INO CNR BEC Ctr, I-38123 Povo, Italy; Univ Trento, Dipartimento Fis, I-38123 Povo, Italy.

Abstract: Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are now well-established theoretical and experimental tools for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamic description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid room-temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe setup, we investigate the dispersion of excitation modes of the fluid: for very long wavelengths, a sonic, dispersionless propagation is observed that we interpret as a signature of superfluid behavior. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America.

Journal/Review: OPTICA

Volume: 2 (5)      Pages from: 484  to: 490

More Information: Autonomous Province of Trento; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (EP/J00443X/1); European Research Council (ERC) (306559).
KeyWords: Shock-waves; Analog; Media
DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.2.000484

Citations: 72
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