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Ultra-efficient frequency comb generation in AlGaAs-on-insulator microresonators

Author

Listed:
  • Lin Chang

    (University of California)

  • Weiqiang Xie

    (University of California)

  • Haowen Shu

    (University of California
    Peking University)

  • Qi-Fan Yang

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Boqiang Shen

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Andreas Boes

    (University of California
    RMIT University)

  • Jon D. Peters

    (University of California)

  • Warren Jin

    (University of California)

  • Chao Xiang

    (University of California)

  • Songtao Liu

    (University of California)

  • Gregory Moille

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Su-Peng Yu

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Xingjun Wang

    (Peking University)

  • Kartik Srinivasan

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Scott B. Papp

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Kerry Vahala

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • John E. Bowers

    (University of California)

Abstract

Recent advances in nonlinear optics have revolutionized integrated photonics, providing on-chip solutions to a wide range of new applications. Currently, state of the art integrated nonlinear photonic devices are mainly based on dielectric material platforms, such as Si3N4 and SiO2. While semiconductor materials feature much higher nonlinear coefficients and convenience in active integration, they have suffered from high waveguide losses that prevent the realization of efficient nonlinear processes on-chip. Here, we challenge this status quo and demonstrate a low loss AlGaAs-on-insulator platform with anomalous dispersion and quality (Q) factors beyond 1.5 × 106. Such a high quality factor, combined with high nonlinear coefficient and small mode volume, enabled us to demonstrate a Kerr frequency comb threshold of only ∼36 µW in a resonator with a 1 THz free spectral range, ∼100 times lower compared to that in previous semiconductor platforms. Moreover, combs with broad spans (>250 nm) have been generated with a pump power of ∼300 µW, which is lower than the threshold power of state-of the-art dielectric micro combs. A soliton-step transition has also been observed for the first time in an AlGaAs resonator.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin Chang & Weiqiang Xie & Haowen Shu & Qi-Fan Yang & Boqiang Shen & Andreas Boes & Jon D. Peters & Warren Jin & Chao Xiang & Songtao Liu & Gregory Moille & Su-Peng Yu & Xingjun Wang & Kartik Srinivas, 2020. "Ultra-efficient frequency comb generation in AlGaAs-on-insulator microresonators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15005-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15005-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Bowen Bai & Qipeng Yang & Haowen Shu & Lin Chang & Fenghe Yang & Bitao Shen & Zihan Tao & Jing Wang & Shaofu Xu & Weiqiang Xie & Weiwen Zou & Weiwei Hu & John E. Bowers & Xingjun Wang, 2023. "Microcomb-based integrated photonic processing unit," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Maodong Gao & Qi-Fan Yang & Qing-Xin Ji & Heming Wang & Lue Wu & Boqiang Shen & Junqiu Liu & Guanhao Huang & Lin Chang & Weiqiang Xie & Su-Peng Yu & Scott B. Papp & John E. Bowers & Tobias J. Kippenbe, 2022. "Probing material absorption and optical nonlinearity of integrated photonic materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Shahab Abdollahi & Mathieu Ladouce & Pablo Marin-Palomo & Martin Virte, 2024. "Agile THz-range spectral multiplication of frequency combs using a multi-wavelength laser," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Bitao Shen & Haowen Shu & Weiqiang Xie & Ruixuan Chen & Zhi Liu & Zhangfeng Ge & Xuguang Zhang & Yimeng Wang & Yunhao Zhang & Buwen Cheng & Shaohua Yu & Lin Chang & Xingjun Wang, 2023. "Harnessing microcomb-based parallel chaos for random number generation and optical decision making," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Chenghao Lao & Xing Jin & Lin Chang & Heming Wang & Zhe Lv & Weiqiang Xie & Haowen Shu & Xingjun Wang & John E. Bowers & Qi-Fan Yang, 2023. "Quantum decoherence of dark pulses in optical microresonators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.

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