Mean-field description of multicomponent exciton-polariton superfluids

Abstract

This is a review of spin-dependent (polarization) properties of multicomponent exciton-polariton condensates in conditions when quasi-equilibrium mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii description can be applied. Mainly two-component (spin states $\pm1$) polariton condensates are addressed, but some properties of four-component exciton condensates, having both the bright (spin $\pm1$) and the dark (spin $\pm2$) components, are discussed. Change of polarization state of the condensate and phase transitions in applied Zeeman field are described. The properties of fractional vortices are given, in particular, I present recent results on the warping of the field around half-vortices in the presence of longitudinal-transverse splitting of bare polariton bands, and discuss the geometrical features of warped half-vortices (in the framework of the lemon, monstar, and star classification).