A polariton is a quasiparticle that is formed by the strong coupling between photons and excitons in a material. It can be thought of as a hybrid between a photon and an exciton, with properties of both.
Polaritons have a mass and can interact with other particles, whereas photons do not. Additionally, polaritons have a finite lifetime, while photons are considered to be massless and have an infinite lifetime.
Polaritons have been studied for potential use in technologies such as optoelectronics, quantum computing, and sensing. They may also have applications in creating new types of light sources and in studying fundamental physics.
Polaritons are created through a process called strong coupling, which occurs when photons and excitons interact strongly in certain materials, such as semiconductors. This can be achieved through techniques such as cavity quantum electrodynamics and microcavity polaritons.
No, polaritons have been studied for several decades and were first predicted in the 1950s. However, advancements in technology and materials have allowed for more in-depth research on polaritons and their potential applications in recent years.