Deterministic single soliton generation and compression in microring resonators avoiding the chaotic region

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Integrated photonics
• Materials science

Background:

• Silicon nitride (SiN) microring resonators are key for generating Kerr frequency combs.
• Controlling the formation of stable cavity solitons (CS) is crucial for applications.
• Anomalous dispersion regimes are often explored for soliton formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a reliable method for achieving single cavity soliton (CS) generation in SiN microring resonators.
• To identify a parameter space path for predictable CS formation.
• To enable subsequent compression of the CS for broader frequency comb generation.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of the Lugiato-Lefever equation (LLE) to identify stable regions.
• Mapping parameter space pathways involving detuning and pump power.
• Transitioning from modulation instability (MI) regions to stable CS regions.

Main Results:

• A specific path in the detuning and pump power parameter space guarantees single CS generation.
• The identified path successfully navigates through unstable and chaotic regions.
• The single CS state can be further manipulated for compression, broadening the single free spectral range (FSR) Kerr frequency comb.

Conclusions:

• A deterministic route to single CS in SiN microring resonators is established.
• The method provides a pathway for controlled generation and manipulation of CS.
• This work advances the development of broadband Kerr frequency combs for various applications.