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Updated: May 13, 2026

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Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
Published on: June 8, 2018
Chaotic dynamics of frequency combs generated with continuously pumped nonlinear microresonators.
A B Matsko1, W Liang, A A Savchenkov
1OEwaves Inc., 465 North Halstead Street, Suite 140, Pasadena, California 91107, USA. andrey.matsko@oewaves.com
Optics Letters
|March 5, 2013
Summary
We investigated chaotic optical frequency combs in microresonators. Chaotic combs exhibit a flat spectrum and noisy RF signals, differing from coherent combs.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Optical frequency combs (OFCs) are crucial for precision measurement and spectroscopy.
- Nonlinear microresonators are key to generating compact OFCs.
- Understanding OFC regimes, including chaotic behavior, is essential for applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically and experimentally investigate the chaotic regime of OFCs in nonlinear ring microresonators.
- To identify spectral signatures of chaotic OFCs.
- To provide guidance on achieving coherent OFC generation.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of nonlinear microresonator dynamics.
- Experimental generation and characterization of OFCs using continuous wave pumping.
- Optical spectrum analysis and radio frequency signal demodulation.
Main Results:
- Chaotic OFCs are characterized by a flat-top, symmetric spectral envelope.
- Demodulated radio frequency signals from chaotic combs are noisy and spectrally broad.
- The spectral width of chaotic combs exceeds the microresonator's linear bandwidth.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies clear indicators for detecting chaotic OFC regimes.
- Practical methods for exciting coherent OFCs and avoiding chaotic states are discussed.
- This research aids in controlling OFC generation for advanced applications.
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