Work

Nonequilibrium Model of Photon Condensation

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: We develop a nonequilibrium model of condensation and lasing of photons in a dye filled microcavity. We examine in detail the nature of the thermalization process induced by absorption and emission of photons by the dye molecules, and investigate when the photons are able to reach a thermal equilibrium Bose-Einstein distribution. At low temperatures, or large cavity losses, the absorption and emission rates are too small to allow the photons to reach thermal equilibrium and the behavior becomes more like that of a conventional laser.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.100404

Authors: Peter Kirton, Jonathan Keeling

Institution: University of St Andrews

Language: English

Topic: Strong Light-Matter Interactions

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Awards: Macroscopic quantum coherence in non-equilibrium and driven quantum systems, Macroscopic quantum coherence in non-equilibrium and driven quantum systems, Topological Protection and Non-Equilibrium States in Strongly Correlated Electron Systems, G6187367178, G6410167375