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Updated: Jun 15, 2025
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Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
Published on: May 30, 2014
14.5K
Advancing on-chip Kerr optical parametric oscillation towards coherent applications covering the green gap
Yi Sun1,2, Jordan Stone1,2, Xiyuan Lu3,4
1Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
Light, Science & Applications
|August 21, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed a new method using silicon nitride microrings to generate green light via optical parametric oscillation (OPO). This technique overcomes previous limitations, providing robust access to the entire challenging "green gap" spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Nanophotonics
- Quantum optics
Background:
- Optical parametric oscillation (OPO) in Kerr microresonators efficiently converts near-infrared light to visible light.
- Chromatic dispersion has historically limited OPO output wavelengths, particularly in the challenging 532-633 nm "green gap" spectrum.
- Robust generation of the full green light spectrum using OPO has remained a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate robust access to the entire "green gap" spectrum using Kerr OPO.
- To develop reliable microring resonator designs optimized for green light generation.
- To extend the wavelength range and improve the reliability of Kerr OPO devices.
Main Methods:
- Utilized silicon nitride microrings pumped near 780 nm.
- Implemented a dispersion engineering technique involving partial undercutting of microrings.
- Optimized microring geometries specifically for green-gap emission.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated over 150 wavelengths evenly distributed across the entire "green gap" (532-633 nm).
- Demonstrated robustness to variations in resonator dimensions due to the dispersion engineering technique.
- Achieved continuous frequency tuning (>50 GHz) and narrow optical linewidths (<1 MHz), suitable for coherent applications.
Conclusions:
- The developed Kerr OPO in engineered silicon nitride microrings provides robust access to the full green light spectrum.
- This work overcomes previous limitations imposed by chromatic dispersion, enabling efficient generation of challenging wavelengths.
- The findings represent a significant advancement in bringing nonlinear nanophotonics capabilities to the visible spectrum for coherent applications.
