Theory of photon condensation in a spatially varying electromagnetic field
Gian Marcello Andolina, F. M. D. Pellegrino, Vittorio Giovannetti, A. H. MacDonald, Marco Polini
Abstract
Whether or not superradiant phase transitions (photon condensates) can occur in equilibrium systems is a long-debated open question. The realization of photon condensation in a spatially uniform cavity field is forbidden by a ``no-go'' theorem stemming from gauge invariance. Here, bypassing the theorem by considering a spatially varying electromagnetic field, the authors derive a series of criteria for the occurrence of photon condensation. The cases of both three-dimensional and two-dimensional electronic systems are analyzed. This work paves the way for the realization of equilibrium photon condensation in solid-state systems.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsPhotonRealization (probability)Quantum mechanicsMomentum (technical analysis)Magnetic fieldElectronField (mathematics)Electromagnetic fieldCondensationGauge theoryQuantumIdeal (ethics)Quantum electrodynamicsCondensed matter physicsMathematicsEconomicsStatisticsThermodynamicsEpistemologyPhilosophyPure mathematicsFinanceStrong Light-Matter InteractionsQuantum Information and CryptographyQuantum and electron transport phenomena