Abstract: A strong coupling between light and matter can be achieved by embedding two-dimensional layers of semiconductor in an optical microcavity. This results in the formation of exciton-polaritons, which are hybrid part-light, part-matter particles that are capable of realising a range of quantum many-body phenomena. However, the interactions between such polaritons are still not well understood despite their fundamental role.  In this talk, I will discuss recent theoretical progress in understanding the microscopic properties of polaritons. In particular, I will show how the two-dimensional geometry plays an important role and leads to highly counterintuitive results, such as light-enhanced polariton-polariton interactions.

Professor Meera Parish is an ARC Future Fellow and FLEET Chief Investigator located in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Monash University. Her research lies at the interface between solid-state physics and atomic physics, with her key areas of influence being quantum impurities, superconductivity and magnetotransport.