On the theory of three types of polaritons (phonon, exciton and plasmon polaritons)

Abstract

We have investigated the similarities and difference between three well-known types of polaritons: phonon polariton, exciton polariton and surface plasmon polariton. For first two types (phonon polariton and exciton polariton) the interaction between photon and media can be expressed via a longitudinal-transversal splitting (LT-splitting), while for third type of polariton (surface plasmon polariton) via the boundary condition. Considering an analogy of these three types of polaritons, an effective LT-splitting was introduced for surface plasmon polariton. We discuss a possible existence of an evanescent state in the band gap of polaritons. Finally, the Nambu broken symmetry theory and Anderson-Higgs mechanism are discussed for lower branch of these polaritons.