Schlieren texture induced Anderson localization in an organic exciton-polariton laser

Abstract

Non-linearities in organic exciton-polariton microcavities represent an attractive platform for second-generation quantum devices. However, progress in this area hinges on the development of material platforms for high-performance polariton lasing, scalable and sustainable fabrication, and ultimately strategies for electrical pumping. Here, we show how introducing Schlieren textures in a liquid crystalline conjugated polymer and the associated microdomains of distinct chain orientation enable in-plane Anderson localization of polaritons. In high-Q distributed Bragg reflector microcavities, this strong localization facilitated polariton lasing at unprecedented thresholds of 136 fJ per pulse, thus providing a pathway to the study of fundamental effects at low polariton numbers. Anderson localization further permitted polariton lasing in more lossy metallic microcavities while maintaining a competitive lasing threshold. The facile fabrication of these cavities will drastically reduce the complexity of integrating polariton laser with other structures and the high conductivity of metallic mirrors provides a route to electrical pumping.