Comparisons are made of a classical and a quantum mechanical model of polariton energy splitting inside a microcavity in the linear excitation regime. Analytical expressions are obtained for the splitting energy as a function of temperature, detuning, and exciton-photon coupling constants. Experimental results are compared with theory, and agreements are found only if the effect of inhomogeneity is taken into account.

• Received 30 December 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.51.14437