arXiv subjects

Pascal Del'Haye

Publications and source records attributed to Pascal Del'Haye.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Universal Symmetry Breaking Dynamics for the Kerr Interaction of Counter-Propagating Light in Dielectric Ring Resonators

Spontaneous symmetry breaking is an important concept in many areas of physics. A fundamentally simple symmetry breaking mechanism in electrodynamics occurs between counter-propagating electromagnetic waves in ring resonators, mediated by the Kerr nonlinearity. The interaction of counter-propagating light in bi-directionally pumped microresonators finds application in the realisation of optical non-reciprocity (for optical diodes), studies of PT-symmetric systems, and the generation of counter-propagating solitons. Here, we present comprehensive analytical and dynamical models for the nonlinear Kerr-interaction of counter-propagating light in a dielectric ring resonator. In particular, we study discontinuous behaviour in the onset of spontaneous symmetry breaking, indicating divergent sensitivity to small external perturbations. These results can be applied to realise, for example, highly sensitive near-field or rotation sensors. We then generalise to a time-dependent model, which predicts new types of dynamical behaviour, including oscillatory regimes that could enable Kerr-nonlinearity-driven all-optical oscillators. The physics of our model can be applied to other systems featuring Kerr-type interaction between two distinct modes, such as for light of opposite circular polarisation in nonlinear resonators, which are commonly described by coupled Lugiato-Lefever equations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

μW-Level Microresonator Solitons with Extended Stability Range Using an Auxiliary Laser

The recent demonstration of dissipative Kerr solitons in microresonators has opened a new pathway for the generation of ultrashort pulses and low-noise frequency combs with gigahertz to terahertz repetition rates, enabling applications in frequency metrology, astronomy, optical coherent communications, and laser-based ranging. A main challenge for soliton generation, in particular in ultra-high-Q resonators, is the sudden change of circulating intracavity power during the onset of soliton generation. This sudden power change requires precise control of the seed laser frequency and power or fast control of the resonator temperature. Here, we report a robust and simple way to increase the stability range of the soliton regime by using an auxiliary laser that passively stabilizes the intracavity power. In our experiments with fused silica resonators, we are able to extend the pump laser frequency stability range of microresonator solitons by two orders of magnitude, which enables soliton generation by slow and manual tuning of the pump laser into resonance and at unprecedented low power levels. Both single- and multi-soliton mode-locked states are generated in a 1.3-mm-diameter fused silica microrod resonator with a free spectral range of ~50.6 GHz, at a 1554 nm pump wavelength at threshold powers <3 mW. Moreover, with a smaller 230-μm-diameter microrod, we demonstrate soliton generation at 780 μW threshold power. The passive enhancement of the stability range of microresonator solitons paves the way for robust and low threshold microcomb systems with substantially relaxed stability requirements for the pump laser source. In addition, this method could be useful in a wider range of microresonator applications that require reduced sensitivity to external perturbations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Interplay of Polarization and Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in Synchronously Pumped Ring Resonators

Optically induced breaking of symmetries plays an important role in nonlinear photonics, with applications ranging from optical switching in integrated photonic circuits to soliton generation in ring lasers. In this work we study for the first time the interplay of two types of spontaneous symmetry breaking that can occur simultaneously in optical ring resonators. Specifically we investigate a ring resonator (e.g. a fiber loop resonator or whispering gallery microresonator) that is synchronously pumped with short pulses of light. In this system we numerically study the interplay and transition between regimes of temporal symmetry breaking (in which pulses in the resonator either run ahead or behind the seed pulses) and polarization symmetry breaking (in which the resonator spontaneously generates elliptically polarized light out of linearly polarized seed pulses). We find ranges of pump parameters for which each symmetry breaking can be independently observed, but also a regime in which a dynamical interplay takes place. Besides the fundamentally interesting physics of the interplay of different types of symmetry breaking, our work contributes to a better understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of optical ring cavities which are of interest for future applications including all-optical logic gates, synchronously pumped optical frequency comb generation, and resonator-based sensor technologies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Microresonator Isolators and Circulators Based on the Intrinsic Nonreciprocity of the Kerr Effect

Nonreciprocal light propagation is important in many applications, ranging from optical telecommunications to integrated photonics. A simple way to achieve optical nonreciprocity is to use the nonlinear interaction between counterpropagating light in a Kerr medium. Within a ring resonator, this leads to spontaneous symmetry breaking, with the result that light of a given frequency can circulate in one direction, but not in both directions simultaneously. In this work, we demonstrate that this effect can be used to realize optical isolators and circulators based on a single ultra- high-Q microresonator. We obtain isolation of more than 24 dB and develop a theoretical model for the power scaling of the attainable nonreciprocity.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Self-synchronization Phenomena in the Lugiato-Lefever Equation

The damped driven nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) has been used to understand a range of physical phenomena in diverse systems. Studying this equation in the context of optical hyper-parametric oscillators in anomalous-dispersion dissipative cavities, where NLSE is usually referred to as the Lugiato-Lefever equation (LLE), we are led to a new, reduced nonlinear oscillator model which uncovers the essence of the spontaneous creation of sharply peaked pulses in optical resonators. We identify attracting solutions for this model which correspond to stable cavity solitons and Turing patterns, and study their degree of stability. The reduced model embodies the fundamental connection between mode synchronization and spatiotemporal pattern formation, and represents a novel class of self-synchronization processes in which coupling between nonlinear oscillators is governed by energy and momentum conservation.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2017

Soliton crystals in Kerr resonators

Strongly interacting solitons confined to an optical resonator would offer unique capabilities for experiments in communication, computation, and sensing with light. Here we report on the discovery of soliton crystals in monolithic Kerr microresonators-spontaneously and collectively ordered ensembles of co-propagating solitons whose interactions discretize their allowed temporal separations. We unambiguously identify and characterize soliton crystals through analysis of their 'fingerprint' optical spectra, which arise from spectral interference between the solitons. We identify a rich space of soliton crystals exhibiting crystallographic defects, and time-domain measurements directly confirm our inference of their crystal structure. The crystallization we observe is explained by long-range soliton interactions mediated by resonator mode degeneracies, and we probe the qualitative difference between soliton crystals and a soliton liquid that forms in the absence of these interactions. Our work explores the rich physics of monolithic Kerr resonators in a new regime of dense soliton occupation and offers a way to greatly increase the efficiency of Kerr combs; further, the extreme degeneracy of the configuration space of soliton crystals suggests an implementation for a robust on-chip optical buffer.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Kerr Superoscillator Model for Microresonator Frequency Combs

Microresonator-based optical frequency combs, or "microcombs", have attracted lots of attention in the last few years thanks to their promising applications in telecommunications, spectroscopy and optical clocks. The process of comb generation in microresonators can be modelled in the frequency domain using coupled mode equations, and has also recently been successfully described in the time domain using a nonlinear Schrödinger equation known as the Lugiato-Lefever equation. Though time-domain approaches have brought many interesting insights for the understanding of microcombs, an intuitive frequency-domain model has not yet been established. In this work we present a frequency-domain model of microcombs that describes the overall structure of the spectra in terms of a few collective excitations of groups of neighboring comb lines, which we term "superoscillators". This approach ties in nicely with the recently-developed time-domain model based on soliton crystals, and links the microcomb generation process with frequency response theory.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Symmetry Breaking of Counter-Propagating Light in a Nonlinear Resonator

Light is generally expected to travel through isotropic media independent of its direction. This makes it challenging to develop non-reciprocal optical elements like optical diodes or circulators, which currently rely on magneto-optical effects and birefringent materials. Here we present measurements of non-reciprocal transmission and spontaneous symmetry breaking between counter-propagating light in dielectric microresonators. The symmetry breaking corresponds to a resonance frequency splitting that allows only one of two counter-propagating (but otherwise identical) light waves to circulate in the resonator. Equivalently, the symmetry breaking can be seen as the collapse of standing waves and transition to travelling waves within the resonator. We present theoretical calculations to show that the symmetry breaking is induced by Kerr-nonlinearity-mediated interaction between the counter-propagating light. This effect is expected to take place in any dielectric ring-resonator and might constitute one of the most fundamental ways to induce optical non-reciprocity. Our findings pave the way for a variety of applications including all optical switching, nonlinear-enhanced rotation sensing, optically controllable circulators and isolators, optical flip-flops for photonic memories as well as exceptionally sensitive power and refractive index sensors.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Self-synchronization of Kerr-nonlinear Optical Parametric Oscillators

We introduce a new, reduced nonlinear oscillator model governing the spontaneous creation of sharp pulses in a damped, driven, cubic nonlinear Schroedinger equation. The reduced model embodies the fundamental connection between mode synchronization and spatiotemporal pulse formation. We identify attracting solutions corresponding to stable cavity solitons and Turing patterns. Viewed in the optical context, our results explain the recently reported $π$ and $π/2$ steps in the phase spectrum of microresonator-based optical frequency combs.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2015

Phase Coherent Link of an Atomic Clock to a Self-Referenced Microresonator Frequency Comb

The counting and control of optical cycles of light has become common with modelocked laser frequency combs. But even with advances in laser technology, modelocked laser combs remain bulk-component devices that are hand-assembled. In contrast, a frequency comb based on the Kerr-nonlinearity in a dielectric microresonator will enable frequency comb functionality in a micro-fabricated and chip-integrated package suitable for use in a wide-range of environments. Such an advance will significantly impact fields ranging from spectroscopy and trace gas sensing, to astronomy, communications, atomic time keeping and photonic data processing. Yet in spite of the remarkable progress shown over the past years, microresonator frequency combs ("microcombs") have still been without the key function of direct f-2f self-referencing and phase-coherent frequency control that will be critical for enabling their full potential. Here we realize these missing elements using a low-noise 16.4 GHz silicon chip microcomb that is coherently broadened from its initial 1550 nm wavelength and subsequently f-2f self-referenced and phase-stabilized to an atomic clock. With this advance, we not only realize the highest repetition rate octave-span frequency comb ever achieved, but we highlight the low-noise microcomb properties that support highest atomic clock limited frequency stability.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Self-referencing a continuous-wave laser with electro-optic modulation

We phase-coherently measure the frequency of continuous-wave (CW) laser light by use of optical-phase modulation and f-2f nonlinear interferometry. Periodic electro-optic modulation (EOM) transforms the CW laser into a continuous train of picosecond optical pulses. Subsequent nonlinear-fiber broadening of this EOM frequency comb produces a supercontinuum with 160 THz of bandwidth. A critical intermediate step is optical filtering of the EOM comb to reduce electronic-noise-induced decoherence of the supercontinuum. Applying f-2f self-referencing with the supercontinuum yields the carrier-envelope offset frequency of the EOM comb, which is precisely the difference of the CW laser frequency and an exact integer multiple of the EOM pulse repetition rate. Here we demonstrate absolute optical frequency metrology and synthesis applications of the self-referenced CW laser with <5E-14 fractional accuracy and stability.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Broadband dispersion engineered microresonator on-a-chip

Control of dispersion in fibre optical waveguides is of critical importance to optical fibre communications systems and more recently for continuum generation from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared. The wavelength at which the group velocity dispersion crosses zero can be set by varying fibre core diameter or index step. Moreover, sophisticated methods to manipulate higher-order dispersion so as shape and even flatten dispersion over wide bandwidths are possible using multi-cladding fibre. Here we introduce design and fabrication techniques that allow analogous dispersion control in chip-integrated optical microresonators, and thereby demonstrate higher-order, wide-bandwidth dispersion control over an octave of spectrum. Importantly, the fabrication method we employ for dispersion control simultaneously permits optical Q factors above 100 million, which is critical for efficient operation of nonlinear optical oscillators. Dispersion control in high Q systems has taken on greater importance in recent years with increased interest in chip-integrable optical frequency combs.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Phase Steps and Hot Resonator Detuning in Microresonator Frequency Combs

Experiments and theoretical modeling yielded significant progress towards understanding of Kerr-effect induced optical frequency comb generation in microresonators. However, the simultaneous interaction of hundreds or thousands of optical comb frequencies with the same number of resonator modes leads to complicated nonlinear dynamics that are far from fully understood. An important prerequisite for modeling the comb formation process is the knowledge of phase and amplitude of the comb modes as well as the detuning from their respective microresonator modes. Here, we present comprehensive measurements that fully characterize optical microcomb states. We introduce a way of measuring resonator dispersion and detuning of comb modes in a hot resonator while generating an optical frequency comb. The presented phase measurements show unpredicted comb states with discrete π and π/2 steps in the comb phases that are not observed in conventional optical frequency combs.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Self-Injection Locking and Phase-Locked States in Microresonator-Based Optical Frequency Combs

Microresonator-based optical frequency combs have been a topic of extensive research during the last few years. Several theoretical models for the comb generation have been proposed; however, they do not comprehensively address experimental results that show a variety of independent comb generation mechanisms. Here, we present frequency-domain experiments that illuminate the transition of microcombs into phase-locked states, which show characteristics of injection locking between ensembles of comb modes. In addition, we demonstrate the existence of equidistant optical frequency combs that are phase stable but with non-deterministic phase relationships between individual comb modes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Laser-Machined Ultra-High-Q Microrod Resonators for Nonlinear Optics

Optical whispering-gallery microresonators are useful tools in microphotonics, and nonlinear optics at very low threshold powers. Here, we present details about the fabrication of ultra-high-Q whispering-gallery-mode resonators made by CO2-laser lathe machining of fused-quartz rods. The resonators can be fabricated in less than one minute and the obtained optical quality factors exceed Q = 10^9. Demonstrated resonator diameters are in the range between 170 μm and 8 mm (free spectral ranges between 390 GHz and 8 GHz). Using these microresonators, a variety of optical nonlinearities are observed, including Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering and four-wave mixing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Parametric seeding of a microresonator optical frequency comb

We have investigated parametric seeding of a microresonator frequency comb (microcomb) by way of a pump laser with two electro-optic-modulation sidebands. We show that the pump-sideband spacing is precisely replicated throughout the microcomb's optical spectrum, and we demonstrate a record absolute line-spacing stability for microcombs of $1.6\times10^{-13}$ at 1 s. The spectrum of a parametric comb is complex, and often non-equidistant subcombs are observed. Our results demonstrate that parametric seeding can not only control the subcombs, but can lead to the generation of a strictly equidistant microcomb spectrum.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Hybrid Electro-Optically Modulated Microcombs

Optical frequency combs based on mode-locked lasers have proven to be invaluable tools for a wide range of applications in precision spectroscopy and metrology. A novel principle of optical frequency comb generation in whispering-gallery mode microresonators ("microcombs") has been developed recently, which represents a promising route towards chip-level integration and out-of-the-lab use of these devices. Presently, two families of microcombs have been demonstrated: combs with electronically detectable mode spacing that can be directly stabilized, and broadband combs with up to octave-spanning spectra but mode spacings beyond electronic detection limits. However, it has not yet been possible to achieve these two key requirements simultaneously, as will be critical for most microcomb applications. Here we present a key step to overcome this problem by interleaving an electro-optic comb with the spectrum from a parametric microcomb. This allows, for the first time, direct control and stabilization of a microcomb spectrum with large mode spacing (>140 GHz) with no need for an additional mode-locked laser frequency comb. The attained residual 1-second-instability of the microcomb comb spacing is 10^-15, with a microwave reference limited absolute instability of 10^-12 at a 140 GHz mode spacing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Mechanical control of a microrod-resonator optical frequency comb

Robust control and stabilization of optical frequency combs enables an extraordinary range of scientific and technological applications, including frequency metrology at extreme levels of precision, novel spectroscopy of quantum gases and of molecules from visible wavelengths to the far infrared, searches for exoplanets, and photonic waveform synthesis. Here we report on the stabilization of a microresonator-based optical comb (microcomb) by way of mechanical actuation. This represents an important step in the development of microcomb technology, which offers a pathway toward fully-integrated comb systems. Residual fluctuations of our 32.6 GHz microcomb line spacing reach a record stability level of $5\times10^{-15}$ for 1 s averaging, thereby highlighting the potential of microcombs to support modern optical frequency standards. Furthermore, measurements of the line spacing with respect to an independent frequency reference reveal the effective stabilization of different spectral slices of the comb with a $<$0.5 mHz variation among 140 comb lines spanning 4.5 THz. These experiments were performed with newly-developed microrod resonators, which were fabricated using a CO$_2$-laser-machining technique.

physics.optics↗