Ultra-low-power hybrid light–matter solitons

P. M. Walker (), L. Tinkler, D. V. Skryabin, A. Yulin, B. Royall, I. Farrer, D. A. Ritchie, M. S. Skolnick and D. N. Krizhanovskii
Additional contact information
P. M. Walker: University of Sheffield
L. Tinkler: University of Sheffield
D. V. Skryabin: University of Bath
A. Yulin: ITMO University 197101
B. Royall: University of Sheffield
I. Farrer: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
D. A. Ritchie: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
M. S. Skolnick: University of Sheffield
D. N. Krizhanovskii: University of Sheffield

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract New functionalities in nonlinear optics will require systems with giant optical nonlinearity as well as compatibility with photonic circuit fabrication techniques. Here we introduce a platform based on strong light–matter coupling between waveguide photons and quantum-well excitons. On a sub-millimetre length scale we generate picosecond bright temporal solitons at a pulse energy of only 0.5 pJ. From this we deduce a nonlinear refractive index three orders of magnitude larger than in any other ultrafast system. We study both temporal and spatio-temporal nonlinear effects and observe dark–bright spatio-temporal polariton solitons. Theoretical modelling of soliton formation in the strongly coupled system confirms the experimental observations. These results show the promise of our system as a high speed, low power, integrated platform for physics and devices based on strong interactions between photons.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9317

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