Half-integer topological defects in polariton condensates can be regarded as magnetic charges, with respect to built-in effective magnetic fields present in microcavities. We show how an integer topological defect can be separated into a pair of half-integer ones, paving the way towards flows of magnetic charges: spin currents or magnetricity. We discuss the corresponding experimental implementation within microwires (with half-solitons) and planar microcavities (with half-vortices).
Categories: cond-mat.mes-hall cond-mat.quant-gas physics.optics