Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Letter

Supersolid light in a semiconductor microcavity

J. L. Figueiredo1, J. T. Mendonça1, and H. Terças2,1

Phys. Rev. A 113, L031303 – Published 13 March, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/mqmz-nwqj

Abstract

Supersolidity—the simultaneous superfluid flow and crystalline order—has been realized in quantum atomic systems, but remains widely unexplored in photonic platforms operating at weak light-matter coupling. We predict a supersolid phase of light in a plasma-filled optical microcavity, where photons acquire effective mass and interact via nonlocal, plasma-mediated nonlinearities. By deriving a Gross-Pitaevskii equation with a tunable photon-photon interaction kernel, we show that the light field can spontaneously crystallize into a supersolid lattice via modulational instability. Crucially, this supersolid arises from a weak photon-electron coupling enabled by virtual electronic transitions and it does not require hybrid polariton formation. Using doped semiconductor microcavities, we identify accessible conditions (electron densities ∼1010–1011cm−2 and optical intensities ∼103–105W/cm2) for experimental realization. This work establishes plasmonic cavities as a platform for correlated photonic matter with emergent quantum order.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation