Frequency division using a soliton-injected semiconductor gain-switched frequency comb

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optoelectronics
• Microwave Engineering

Background:

• Optical frequency combs offer precise frequency synthesis and ultralow-noise microwave generation.
• Existing methods often require bulky or complex setups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel, compact, and potentially fully integrated method for low-noise microwave generation.
• To leverage the spectral purity of soliton microcombs for frequency division.

Main Methods:

• Combining a soliton microcomb and a semiconductor gain-switched comb.
• Utilizing a semiconductor laser injection-locked to microresonator solitons.
• Implementing a novel frequency division technique.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of low-noise microwaves via a new frequency division technique.
• Transfer of spectral purity from a dissipative soliton oscillator to subharmonic frequencies.
• Dense optical spectral emissions from the gain-switched comb dividing the microcomb line spacing.

Conclusions:

• The merger of compact, chip-scale frequency comb devices offers a promising pathway for advanced microwave generation.
• This integrated approach could significantly broaden the applications of frequency comb technology.