Resonant acousto‐optic response of microcavity polaritons

Abstract

AbstractWe review the optical properties of microcavity polaritons parametrically driven by a surface acoustic wave (SAW). In this case the acoustically‐induced quasi‐energy (Brillouin) spectrum of microcavity polaritons is well‐developed even for modest acoustic intensities. As a result, in sharp contrast with conventional acousto‐optics, the resonantly enhanced Bragg spectra reveal a robust structure with multiple orders of diffracted light, i.e. a Brillouin band structure of SAW‐driven polaritons can be directly visualized. In particular, for a GaAs‐based microcavity pumped by the SAW of ν saw = 1 GHz and I ac ≃ 100 W/cm2, the main acoustically‐induced band gap in the polariton spectrum can be as large as Δ acMC ≃ 0.6 meV, and the Bragg replicas up to n = 3 can be observed. Finally, we discuss the resonant acousto‐optic effect in (GaAs) microcavities for device applications. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)