Polaritonics for Quantum Technology Applications

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This project is aimed at development of several revolutionary new device concepts within the new interdisciplinary research area of Polaritonics, which studies interaction of light with electronic excitations in crystals. PI of this project leads an international collaborative effort in Polaritonics since 2000 coordinating three subsequent European network projects which involve over 15 universities. This collaboration has already yielded a number of spectacular discoveries including the Bose-Einstein condensation of mixed light-matter quasiparticles, features of superfluidity in crystals, spin multistability, ultralow threshold polariton lasing. Development of Polaritonics is led by theory, which predicts new effects, designes new structures and proposes new experiments. This project proposes a program of theoretical research tightly linked with an international experimental effort and aimed at bridging the gap between fundamental discoveries and device applications in Polaritonics. We shall develop and realise and experimentally test several device concepts including the Aharonov-Bohm polariton interferometer and the vertical cavity coherent terahertz light source based on a polariton laser. Fabrication of these devices would manifest a technology breakthrough in opto-electronics with quantum coherent effects brought into everyday life. The new quantum light sources and logic gates are important for realisation of optical computers and enhancement of capacities of optical communication lines. Compact sources of coherent terahertz radiation have their applications in medicine (skin cancer cure), environment protection, industrial sensing, security. The Southampton university will coordinate a multinational research effort in Polaritonics, host leading experts in Polaritonics for short visits, organise a series of international workshops and closely collaborate with several industrial companies including Hitachi, Sharp, Toshiba.