Polariton quantum boxes in semiconductor microcavities

We report on the realization of polariton quantum boxes in a semiconductor microcavity under strong coupling regime. The quantum boxes consist of mesas, etched on the top of the spacer of a microcavity, that confine the cavity photon. For mesas with sizes of the order of a few microns in width and nanometers in depth, we observe quantization of the polariton modes in several states, caused by the lateral confinement. We evidence the strong exciton-photon coupling regime through a typical anticrossing curve for each quantized level. Moreover, the growth technique permits one to obtain high-quality samples, and opens the way for the conception of new optoelectronic devices. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.