300 GHz wave generation based on a Kerr microresonator frequency comb stabilized to a low noise microwave reference

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Microwave Photonics
• Frequency Comb Technology

Background:

• Millimeter-wave (mmWave) signal generation is crucial for advanced communication and sensing.
• Achieving low noise and compact mmWave sources remains a significant challenge.
• Kerr microresonator frequency combs offer a versatile platform for optical signal generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate low-noise 300 GHz wave generation.
• To leverage soliton Kerr microresonator frequency combs for mmWave applications.
• To achieve high spectral purity in the generated mmWave signal.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a soliton Kerr microresonator frequency comb.
• Employing an optoelectronic phase-locked loop to transfer spectral purity from a 10 GHz GPS-disciplined dielectric resonant oscillator.
• Using a uni-traveling carrier photodiode to generate the 300 GHz mmWave signal.

Main Results:

• Achieved low phase noise spectral density of the 300 GHz mmWave signal: -88 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz and -105 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz.
• Demonstrated phase-locking error instability of 2x10^-15 at 1 s averaging time.
• Successfully transferred the spectral purity of the 10 GHz oscillator to the 300 GHz comb repetition rate.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated system provides a promising pathway for compact, low-power, low-noise millimeter-wave oscillators.
• This technology is suitable for out-of-the-laboratory applications requiring high-performance mmWave sources.
• The results pave the way for next-generation mmWave systems in various fields.