Soliton generation in AlGaAs microresonators at room temperature

Kavli Affiliate: Kerry J. Vahala

| First 5 Authors: Lue Wu, Weiqiang Xie, Chao Xiang, Lin Chang, Yan Yu

| Summary:

Chip-integrated optical frequency combs are attractive optical sources in
comb applications requiring high-repetition-rate, low power consumption, or
compact size. Spontaneous soliton formation via Kerr parametric oscillation is
a promising generation principle in these frequency combs, and has been
demonstrated in several material platforms over the past decade. Of these
materials, AlGaAs has one of the largest Kerr nonlinearity coefficients
allowing low pump threshold comb generation. However, bright soliton generation
using this material has only been possible at cryogenic temperature because of
the large thermo-optic effect at room temperature, which hinders stable access
to the soliton regime. Here, we report self-stabilized single soliton
generation in AlGaAs microresonators at room temperature by utilizing a rising
soliton step in large free-spectral-range resonators. With sub-milliWatt
optical pump power, 1 THz repetition-rate soliton generation is demonstrated.
Perfect soliton crystal formation and soliton breather states are also
observed. Besides the advantages of large optical nonlinearity, the devices are
natural candidates for integration with III-V pump lasers.

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