Ultrastrong coupling of electrically pumped near-infrared exciton-polaritons in high mobility polymers

Abstract

Exciton-polaritons are quasiparticles with hybrid light–matter properties that may be used in new optoelectronic devices. Here, electrically pumped ultrastrongly coupled exciton-polaritons in a high-mobility donor–acceptor copolymer are demonstrated by integrating a light-emitting field-effect transistor into a metal-clad microcavity. Near-infrared electroluminescence is emitted exclusively from the lower polariton branch, which indicates efficient relaxation. A coupling strength of 24% of the exciton transition energy implies the system is in the ultrastrong coupling regime with a narrow and almost angle-independent emission. The lower polariton energy, which can be adjusted by the cavity detuning, strongly influences the external quantum efficiency of the device. Driving the transistors at ambipolar current densities of up to 4000 A cm−2 does not decrease the coupling strength or polariton emission efficiency. Cavity-integrated light-emitting field-effect transistors thus represent a versatile platform for polariton emission and polaritonic devices.