Stochastic polarization formation in exciton-polariton Bose-Einstein condensates

Abstract

We demonstrate theoretically the spontaneous formation of a stochastic polarization in exciton-polariton Bose-Einstein condensates in planar microcavities under pulsed excitation. Below the threshold pumping intensity (dependent on the polariton lifetime), the average polarization degree is close to zero, while above threshold the condensate acquires a polarization described by a (pseudospin) vector with random orientation, in general. It is shown that the polariton-polariton interaction leads to suppression of the linear polarization degree of the condensate due to the self-induced Larmor precession of the pseudospin. We establish the link between the second-order coherence of the polariton condensate and the distribution function of its polarization. We examine also the mechanisms of polarization dephasing and relaxation. © 2009 The American Physical Society.