Oscillatory dynamics of non-equilibrium dissipative exciton-polariton condensates in weak-contrast lattices

Abstract: We study nonlinear dynamics of exciton-polaritons in an incoherently pumped semiconductor microcavity with embedded weak-contrast lattice and coupled to an exciton reservoir. We elucidate fundamental features of non-equilibrium exciton-polariton condensate trapped in one-dimensional periodical potential close to zero momentum (so-called "Zero-state") and to the state at the boundary of Brillouin zone ("$\pi$-state"). Within the framework of the mean-field theory, we identify different regimes of both relaxation and oscillatory dynamics of coherent exciton-polaritons governed by superpositions of Bloch eigenstates within the periodic lattice. In particular, we theoretically demonstrate stable macroscopical oscillations, akin to nonlinear Josephson oscillations, between different spectral components of a polariton condensate in the momenta-space. We elucidate a strong influence of the dissipative effects and the feedback induced by the inhomogeneity of incoherent reservoir on the dynamics of the coherent polaritons.