Sub-picosecond thermalization dynamics in condensation of strongly coupled lattice plasmons

: Väkeväinen AI, Moilanen AJ, Necada M, Hakala TK, Daskalakis KS, Törmä P

Publisher: NATURE RESEARCH

: 2020

: Nature Communications

: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

: NAT COMMUN

: 11

: 1

: 12

: 2041-1723

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16906-1(external)

Bosonic condensates offer exciting prospects for studies of non-equilibrium quantum dynamics. Understanding the dynamics is particularly challenging in the sub-picosecond timescales typical for room temperature luminous driven-dissipative condensates. Here we combine a lattice of plasmonic nanoparticles with dye molecule solution at the strong coupling regime, and pump the molecules optically. The emitted light reveals three distinct regimes: one-dimensional lasing, incomplete stimulated thermalization, and two-dimensional multimode condensation. The condensate is achieved by matching the thermalization rate with the lattice size and occurs only for pump pulse durations below a critical value. Our results give access to control and monitoring of thermalization processes and condensate formation at sub-picosecond timescale. Understanding the sub-picosecond dynamics of driven-dissipative condensates of interacting bosons is challenging. Here the authors combine a lattice of plasmonic nanoparticles with a dye molecule solution in strong coupling and reveal distinct lasing, stimulated thermalization, and condensation regimes.