ABSTRACT
We demonstrate that extended dissipative structures in Kerr-nonlinear whispering-gallery mode resonators undergo a spatiotemporal instability, as the pumping parameters are varied. We show that the dynamics of the patterns beyond this bifurcation yield specific Kerr comb and sub-comb spectra that can be subjected to a phase of frequency-locking when optimal conditions are met. Our numerical results are found to be in agreement with experimental measurements.
ABSTRACT
In this paper, the research related to the formation of optical dissipative structures in Kerr-nonlinear whispering-gallery mode resonators pumped with continuous-wave lasers is reviewed. Pattern formation in these systems can be analysed using the paradigmatic Lugiato-Lefever model, which is a partial differential equation ruling the dynamics of the intra-cavity laser field. Various dissipative structures such as Turing rolls, solitons, breathers and spatio-temporal chaos can emerge in the resonator depending on the laser power and frequency. The bifurcation analysis enables a classification of these patterns, and also permits identification of their basins of attraction.This article is part of the theme issue 'Dissipative structures in matter out of equilibrium: from chemistry, photonics and biology (part 1)'.
ABSTRACT
We investigate the relative intensity noise (RIN) properties of a multi-Stokes Brillouin fiber ring laser. We experimentally analyse the intensity noise of each Stokes wave and study the noise dynamics of the cascaded Brillouin scattering process. We observe up to 20 dB/Hz intensity noise reduction compared to that of the RIN input pump laser. We examine the impact of the fiber ring quality factor on the laser RIN features such as amplitude reduction and relaxation frequency. We also investigate the influence of the Brillouin gain detuning on the RIN reduction. A numerical model based on a set of coupled-mode equations replicates the experimental observations. Our study enables us to determine the optimal parameter values to operate the multi-Stokes laserin the low noise regime.
ABSTRACT
Optical Kerr frequency combs are known to be effective coherent multiwavelength sources for ultrahigh capacity fiber communications. These combs are the frequency-domain counterparts of a wide variety of spatiotemporal dissipative structures, such as cavity solitons, chaos, or Turing patterns (rolls). In this Letter, we demonstrate that Turing patterns, which correspond to the so-called primary combs in the spectral domain, are optimally coherent in the sense that for the same pump power they provide the most robust carriers for coherent data transmission in fiber communications using advanced modulation formats. Our model is based on a stochastic Lugiato-Lefever equation which accounts for laser pump frequency jitter and amplified spontaneous emission noise induced by the erbium-doped fiber amplifier. Using crystalline whispering-gallery-mode resonators with quality factor Qâ¼10^{9} for the comb generation, we show that when the noise is accounted for, the coherence of a primary comb is significantly higher than the coherence of their solitonic or chaotic counterparts for the same pump power. In order to confirm this theoretical finding, we perform an optical fiber transmission experiment using advanced modulation formats, and we show that the coherence of the primary comb is high enough to enable data transmission of up to 144 Gbit/s per comb line, the highest value achieved with a Kerr comb so far. This performance evidences that compact crystalline photonic systems have the potential to play a key role in a new generation of coherent fiber communication networks, alongside fully integrated systems.
ABSTRACT
We investigate the phase noise performance of optoelectronic oscillators when the optical energy storage elements are in the following three configurations: a high-Q whispering gallery mode resonator, an optical delay-line and a combination of both elements. The stability properties of these various optical elements are first characterized, and then systematically compared in the optical and in the microwave frequency domains. Subsequently, the spectral purity of the oscillator is theoretically and experimentally examined for each case. When the resonator is used as both delay and filtering element inside the delay-line based oscillator, the generated spurious modes are highly rejected. A spur rejection by more than 53 dB has been demonstrated for the first-neighboring spur.
