Observation of Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universal scaling in two dimensions

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Simon Widmann - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Siddhartha Dam - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Johannes Düreth - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Christian G. Mayer - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Romain Daviet - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Carl Philipp Zelle - , University of Cologne, Harvard University (Author)
  • David Laibacher - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Monika Emmerling - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Martin Kamp - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Sebastian Diehl - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Simon Betzold - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Sebastian Klembt - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Sven Höfling - , University of Würzburg (Author)

Abstract

Equilibrium and nonequilibrium states of matter can exhibit fundamentally different behavior. A key example is the Kardar-parisi-Zhang universality class in two spatial dimensions (2D KpZ), where microscopic deviations from equilibrium give rise to macroscopic scaling laws without equilibrium counterparts. Although extensively studied theoretically, experimental evidence of 2D KpZ scaling has remained limited to interface growth. Here, we report the observation of KpZ universal scaling in 2D exciton-polariton condensates—quantum fluids of light that inherently break equilibrium conditions. Using spectroscopy and Michelson interferometry, we probed the phase correlations across microscopically different systems. Our analysis revealed correlation dynamics and scaling exponents in excellent agreement with 2D KpZ predictions. These results establish exciton-polariton condensates as an experimental platform for exploring 2D nonequilibrium universality.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-224
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume392
Issue number6794
Publication statusPublished - 9 Apr 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas