Project description
Tuning quantum interactions of light and matter in situ may inspire novel optoelectronics
Correlated states of matter such as superconductivity (almost zero resistance to the flow of electric current) are the subject of intense investigation. Correlated states of light have garnered much theoretical attention, but they have been challenging to study experimentally. SCORPION is developing an experimental platform to enable the study of coupled light-matter systems for applications in optoelectronics. Optoelectronics exploit the interaction of light and matter, more specifically photons and electrons. SCORPION is utilising polaritons, hybrid light-matter particles consisting of a photon strongly coupled to an electric dipole such as an electron-hole pair (exciton). Experimental investigation of polariton condensates coupled with 2D electrical systems will address fundamental questions of condensed matter physics and could point to novel optoelectronic applications.
Objective
Polaritons, part-light part-matter quasi-particles, are formed when photons in a cavity couple strongly to excitons in semiconductors. Polaritons are interacting bosons which can undergo phase transitions driven by light. The hybrid nature of polaritons suggests that both light and matter become strongly correlated near the transition point. Correlated states of light in cavity arrays have been intensely investigated theoretically for over 12 years, but experimental progress has been limited by challenges in the integration of highly nonlinear materials with cavity arrays. Similarly, correlated states of matter (e.g. superconductivity) emerging near polaritonic phase transitions have generated strong theoretical interest in recent years, but their experimental observation has remained elusive. In this project, we will realize strongly correlated light-matter systems in order to solve optimization problems and induce superconductivity with light. We will achieve these goals using a single experimental platform comprising tunable cavities where semiconductors can be easily inserted and light-matter coupling can be tuned in-situ. In work package 1, we will measure photon correlations in multicavity systems simulating Ising models. We will use these Ising simulators to solve non-deterministic polynomial time (NP)-hard optimization problems, e.g. finding the ground state energy of a 2D Ising model. In work package 2, we will couple a polariton condensate to a two-dimensional electron system (2DES). We will optically drive this system across the polariton condensation threshold, and search for signatures of superconductivity in differential conductance measurements of the 2DES. We anticipate the results of both work packages to open a new frontier of condensed matter physics dealing with simultaneously correlated light and matter. Moreover, completely new types of optoelectronic devices controlled by light are likely to emerge.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences condensed matter physics quasiparticles
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3526 KV UTRECHT
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.