  We construct a theory for Bose-Einstein condensation of light in
nano-fabricated semiconductor microcavities. We model the semiconductor by one
conduction and one valence band which consist of electrons and holes that
interact via a Coulomb interaction. Moreover, we incorporate screening effects
by using a contact interaction with the scattering length for a Yukawa
potential and describe in this manner the crossover from exciton gas to
electron-hole plasma as we increase the excitation level of the semiconductor.
We then show that the dynamics of the light in the microcavities is damped due
to the coupling to the semiconductor. Furthermore, we demonstrate that on the
electron-hole plasma side of the crossover, which is relevant for the
Bose-Einstein condensation of light, this damping can be described by a single
dimensionless damping parameter that depends on the external pumping.
Hereafter, we propose to probe the superfluidity of light in these
nano-fabricated semiconductor microcavities by making use of the differences in
the response in the normal or superfluid phase to a sudden rotation of the
trap. In particular, we determine frequencies and damping of the scissors modes
that are excited in this manner. Moreover, we show that a distinct signature of
the dynamical Casimir effect can be observed in the density-density
correlations of the excited light fluid.
