Ultra-broadband Kerr microcomb through soliton spectral translation
Abstract
Broadband and low-noise microresonator frequency combs (microcombs) are critical for deployable optical frequency measurements. Here we expand the bandwidth of a microcomb far beyond its anomalous dispersion region on both sides of its spectrum through spectral translation mediated by mixing of a dissipative Kerr soliton and a secondary pump. We introduce the concept of synthetic dispersion to qualitatively capture the system’s key physical behavior, in which the second pump enables spectral translation through four-wave mixing Bragg scattering. Experimentally, we pump a silicon nitride microring at 1063 nm and 1557 nm to enable soliton spectral translation, resulting in a total bandwidth of 1.6 octaves (137–407 THz). We examine the comb’s low-noise characteristics, through heterodyne beat note measurements across its spectrum, measurements of the comb tooth spacing in its primary and spectrally translated portions, and their relative noise. These ultra-broadband microcombs provide new opportunities for optical frequency synthesis, optical atomic clocks, and reaching previously unattainable wavelengths.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1038/s41467-021-27469-0
Entities
People
- Ashutosh Rao
- Edgar F. Perez
- Grégory Moille
- Jordan R. Stone
- Kartik Srinivasan
- Tahmid Rahman
- Xiyuan Lu
- Yanne K Chembo
Organizations
- United States Department of Defense