Pump-Power-Driven Mode Switching in a Microcavity Device and Its Relation to Bose-Einstein Condensation

Abstract

Bimodal microlasers have recently gained interest for potential applications in optical memories, tunable switches, and as a platform for studying nonequilibrium phase transitions. A new investigation reveals not only the underlying mechanisms that controls mode switching in these devices but also that this switching corresponds to a transition from lasing to a minimal realization of Bose-Einstein condensation of photons.