Title:Topological Polaritonics——Achievements, Challenges, and Future Directions

Speaker:Sven Höfling，Würzburg University

Time:2024-10-24 16:00pm

Venue:Zheng Yutong Lecture Hall

Abstract:Topological polaritonics has evolved rapidly, inspired by phenomena observed in electronic condensed matter physics. Exciton-polariton topological insulator systems have been experimentally demonstrated to possess chiral, topologically protected edge modes (e.g. example [1]). However, they also exhibit some important differences compared to electronic systems. This presentation will provide an overview of selected results in the field of topological exciton-polariton lattices and lasers, highlighting recent achievements, current challenges, and the potential of emerging novel materials.

[1] Klembt et al., Nature 562, 552–556 (2018)

Bio:Sven Höfling received his diploma degree in Applied Physics from the University of Applied Science in Coburg and his Ph.D. degree from Würzburg University. He was with the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Solid-State Physics, Freiburg, Germany from 2001 to 2002 working on blue and white light emitting diodes. In 2003, he joined Würzburg University for his Ph.D. work on single mode emitting GaAs/AlGaAs quantum cascade lasers. From 2006 to 2013, he was head of the Optoelectronic Materials and Devices Group at Technische Physik, Würzburg University. Sven Höfling was a full professor at the University of St Andrews, Scotland from 2013 to 2021. In 2015 he rejoined the University of Würzburg, Germany as a professor of physics and as the Head of the Chair of Applied Physics and the Gottfried-Landwehr-Laboratory for Nanotechnologies. He is running a 550 sqm clean room with a full chain of semiconductor growth, processing and characterization tools. His research interests include the design, fabrication, and characterization of low-dimensional electronic and photonic nanostructures, including quantum wells and quantum dots, organic semiconductors, high-quality factor microcavities, photonic crystal devices, semiconductor lasers, organic optoelectronics and topological photonics. Dr. Höfling is a member of German Physical Society (DPG), a Senior member of IEEE and SPIE, and a fellow of the Institute of Physics (IOP) and Optica.