Optically controlled polariton condensate molecules

A condensed-matter platform for analog simulation of complex two-dimensional molecular bonding configurations, based on optically trapped exciton-polariton condensates is proposed. The stable occupation of polariton condensates in the excited states of their optically configurable potential traps permits emulation of excited atomic orbitals. A classical mean-field model describing the dissipative coupling mechanism between $p$-orbital condensates is derived, identifying lowest-threshold condensation solutions as a function of trap parameters corresponding to bound and antibound $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ bonding configurations, similar to those in quantum chemistry.