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Universal formation dynamics and noise of Kerr-frequency combs in microresonators

Abstract

Optical frequency combs allow for the precise measurement of optical frequencies and are used in a growing number of applications. The new class of Kerr-frequency comb sources, based on parametric frequency conversion in optical microresonators, can complement conventional systems in applications requiring high repetition rates such as direct comb spectroscopy, spectrometer calibration, arbitrary optical waveform generation and advanced telecommunications. However, a severe limitation in experiments working towards practical systems is phase noise, observed in the form of linewidth broadening, multiple repetition-rate beat notes and loss of temporal coherence. These phenomena are not explained by the current theory of Kerr comb formation, yet understanding this is crucial to the maturation of Kerr comb technology. Here, based on observations in crystalline MgF2 and planar Si3N4 microresonators, we reveal the universal, platform-independent dynamics of Kerr comb formation, allowing the explanation of a wide range of phenomena not previously understood, as well as identifying the condition for, and transition to, low-phase-noise performance.

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Figure 1: Multiple and broad beat notes.
Figure 2: Kerr comb formation.
Figure 3: Commensurability of subcombs.
Figure 4: Kerr comb reconstruction.
Figure 5: Transition to a low phase noise Kerr comb.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a Marie Curie IAPP, Eurostars, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the NCCR Nanoterra NTF and DARPA QuASAR. M.L.G. acknowledges support from the Dynasty Foundation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant 11-02-00383-a). The authors acknowledge helpful discussions with P. Del'Haye in the early phase of this work.

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Contributions

T.H. and T.J.K designed the experiments. T.H. and J.R. performed the experiments. T.H. analysed the data. K.H. fabricated the Si3N4 samples. E.G. contributed in the early phase of the Si3N4 sample fabrication. T.H. and C.Y.W. fabricated the MgF2 samples. M.L.G., T.H. and T.J.K. developed the quantitative model. All authors discussed the data and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to T. J. Kippenberg.

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Herr, T., Hartinger, K., Riemensberger, J. et al. Universal formation dynamics and noise of Kerr-frequency combs in microresonators. Nature Photon 6, 480–487 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2012.127

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