scholarly journals Optical Frequency Combs in Quadratically Nonlinear Resonators

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iolanda Ricciardi ◽  
Simona Mosca ◽  
Maria Parisi ◽  
François Leo ◽  
Tobias Hansson ◽  
...  

Optical frequency combs are one of the most remarkable inventions in recent decades. Originally conceived as the spectral counterpart of the train of short pulses emitted by mode-locked lasers, frequency combs have also been subsequently generated in continuously pumped microresonators, through third-order parametric processes. Quite recently, direct generation of optical frequency combs has been demonstrated in continuous-wave laser-pumped optical resonators with a second-order nonlinear medium inside. Here, we present a concise introduction to such quadratic combs and the physical mechanism that underlies their formation. We mainly review our recent experimental and theoretical work on formation and dynamics of quadratic frequency combs. We experimentally demonstrated comb generation in two configurations: a cavity for second harmonic generation, where combs are generated both around the pump frequency and its second harmonic and a degenerate optical parametric oscillator, where combs are generated around the pump frequency and its subharmonic. The experiments have been supported by a thorough theoretical analysis, aimed at modelling the dynamics of quadratic combs, both in frequency and time domains, providing useful insights into the physics of this new class of optical frequency comb synthesizers. Quadratic combs establish a new class of efficient frequency comb synthesizers, with unique features, which could enable straightforward access to new spectral regions and stimulate novel applications.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7122
Author(s):  
Simona Mosca ◽  
Tobias Hansson ◽  
Maria Parisi

Optical frequency comb synthesizers with a wide spectral range are an essential tool for many research areas such as spectroscopy, precision metrology, optical communication, and sensing. Recent studies have demonstrated the direct generation of frequency combs, via second-order processes, that are centered on two different spectral regions separated by an octave. Here, we present the capability of optical quadratic frequency combs for broad-bandwidth spectral emission in unexplored regimes. We consider comb formation under phase-matched conditions in a continuous-wave pumped singly resonant second-harmonic cavity, with large intracavity power and control of the detuning over several cavity line widths. The spectral analysis reveals quite distinctive sidebands that arise far away from the pump, singularly or in a mixed regime together with narrowband frequency combs. Notably, by increasing the input power, the optical frequency lines evolve into widely spaced frequency clusters, and at maximum power, they appear in a wavelength range spanning up to 100 nm. The obtained results demonstrate the power of second-order nonlinearities for direct comb production within a wide range of pump wavelengths.


Nanophotonics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanne K. Chembo

AbstractThe optical frequency comb technology is one of the most important breakthrough in photonics in recent years. This concept has revolutionized the science of ultra-stable lightwave and microwave signal generation. These combs were originally generated using ultrafast mode-locked lasers, but in the past decade, a simple and elegant alternativewas proposed,which consisted in pumping an ultra-high-Q optical resonator with Kerr nonlinearity using a continuous-wave laser. When optimal conditions are met, the intracavity pump photons are redistributed via four-wave mixing to the neighboring cavity modes, thereby creating the so-called Kerr optical frequency comb. Beyond being energy-efficient, conceptually simple, and structurally robust, Kerr comb generators are very compact devices (millimetric down to micrometric size) which can be integrated on a chip. They are, therefore, considered as very promising candidates to replace femtosecond mode-locked lasers for the generation of broadband and coherent optical frequency combs in the spectral domain, or equivalently, narrow optical pulses in the temporal domain. These combs are, moreover, expected to provide breakthroughs in many technological areas, such as integrated photonics, metrology, optical telecommunications, and aerospace engineering. The purpose of this review article is to present a comprehensive survey of the topic of Kerr optical frequency combs.We provide an overview of the main theoretical and experimental results that have been obtained so far. We also highlight the potential of Kerr combs for current or prospective applications, and discuss as well some of the open challenges that are to be met at the fundamental and applied level.


Author(s):  
Iolanda Ricciardi ◽  
Simona Mosca ◽  
Maria Parisi ◽  
Pasquale Maddaloni ◽  
Paolo De Natale ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 523-524 ◽  
pp. 877-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taro Onoe ◽  
Satoru Takahashi ◽  
Kiyoshi Takamasu ◽  
Hirokazu Matsumoto

We develop a new method for high-resolution and contactless distance measurement based on self frequency beats of optical frequency combs. We use two optical frequency comb lasers with Rb-stabilized repetition frequencies for doing accurate distance measurement. The repetition frequencies of the optical frequency combs are different, thus parts of the high frequencies such as several gigahertz of self beats are beat-downed to several megahertz without an RF frequency oscillator. The phases of the beat signals of several megahertz frequencies are measured by a lock-in amplifier with a high resolution and high sensitivity. The new method is applied to distance measurement for objects which have rough-surface in the distance range of several-meters.


Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 369 (6501) ◽  
pp. eaay3676
Author(s):  
Scott A. Diddams ◽  
Kerry Vahala ◽  
Thomas Udem

Optical frequency combs were introduced around 20 years ago as a laser technology that could synthesize and count the ultrafast rate of the oscillating cycles of light. Functioning in a manner analogous to a clockwork of gears, the frequency comb phase-coherently upconverts a radio frequency signal by a factor of ≈105 to provide a vast array of evenly spaced optical frequencies, which is the comb for which the device is named. It also divides an optical frequency down to a radio frequency, or translates its phase to any other optical frequency across hundreds of terahertz of bandwidth. We review the historical backdrop against which this powerful tool for coherently uniting the electromagnetic spectrum developed. Advances in frequency comb functionality, physical implementation, and application are also described.


Nanophotonics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Droste ◽  
Gabriel Ycas ◽  
Brian R. Washburn ◽  
Ian Coddington ◽  
Nathan R. Newbury

AbstractOptical frequency combs have revolutionized optical frequency metrology and are being actively investigated in a number of applications outside of pure optical frequency metrology. For reasons of cost, robustness, performance, and flexibility, the erbium fiber laser frequency comb has emerged as the most commonly used frequency comb system and many different designs of erbium fiber frequency combs have been demonstrated. We review the different approaches taken in the design of erbium fiber frequency combs, including the major building blocks of the underlying mode-locked laser, amplifier, supercontinuum generation and actuators for stabilization of the frequency comb.


2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 2688 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Long ◽  
A. J. Fleisher ◽  
K. O. Douglass ◽  
S. E. Maxwell ◽  
K. Bielska ◽  
...  

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