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The generation of exciton–polaritons through strong light–matter interactions represents an emerging platform for exploring quantum phenomena. A significant challenge in colloidal nanocrystal-based polaritonic systems is the ability to operate at room temperature with high fidelity. Here, we demonstrate the generation of room-temperature exciton–polaritons through the coupling of CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) with a Fabry–Pérot optical cavity, leading to a Rabi splitting of 74.6 meV. Quantum–classical calculations accurately predict the complex dynamics between the many dark state excitons and the optically allowed polariton states, including the experimentally observed lower polariton photoluminescence emission, and the concentration of photoluminescence intensities at higher in-plane momenta as the cavity becomes more negatively detuned. The Rabi splitting measured at 5 K is similar to that at 300 K, validating the feasibility of the temperature-independent operation of this polaritonic system. Overall, these results show that CdSe NPLs are an excellent material to facilitate the development of room-temperature quantum technologies.
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Thermalization of Fluorescent Protein Exciton–Polaritons at Room Temperature
Abstract Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have recently emerged as a serious contender for realizing ultralow threshold room temperature exciton–polariton condensation and lasing. This contribution investigates the thermalization of FP microcavity exciton–polaritons upon optical pumping under ambient conditions. Polariton cooling is realized using a new FP molecule, called mScarlet, coupled strongly to the optical modes in a Fabry–Pérot cavity. Interestingly, at the threshold excitation energy (fluence) of ≈9 nJ per pulse (15.6 mJ cm−2), an effective temperature is observed,Teff ≈ 350 ± 35 K close to the lattice temperature indicative of strongly thermalized exciton–polaritons at equilibrium. This efficient thermalization results from the interplay of radiative pumping facilitated by the energetics of the lower polariton branch and the cavityQ‐factor. Direct evidence for dramatic switching from an equilibrium state into a metastable state is observed for the organic cavity polariton device at room temperature via deviation from the Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics atk‖ = 0 above the threshold. Thermalized polariton gases in organic systems at equilibrium hold substantial promise for designing room temperature polaritonic circuits, switches, and lattices for analog simulation.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1936351
- PAR ID:
- 10367616
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Materials
- Volume:
- 34
- Issue:
- 15
- ISSN:
- 0935-9648
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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