Half-quantum vortices in exciton–polariton condensates in applied magnetic field

Abstract

We study the behavior of half-quantum vortices (HQVs) in exciton–polariton condensates in planar semiconductor microcavities in applied magnetic field. Below the critical magnetic field, that is defined by the polariton–polariton interaction constant, the condensate is elliptically polarized and there are two types of HQVs, deep and shallow. They correspond to singularities in majority and minority circular components of the condensate wave function, respectively. The core radius (healing length) of the deep HQVs decreases and the core radius of the shallow HQVs increases with increase of magnetic field. The shallow HQVs disappear and the deep HQVs transform into the integer vortices in the circularly polarized condensate when the applied magnetic field exceeds the critical one.