Spontaneous symmetry breaking in synchronously pumped fiber ring cavities

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new model for pulse evolution in fiber-ring cavities, revealing spontaneous symmetry breaking and multistability, applicable to various waveguide-based ring systems.

Contribution

A novel equation extending the Lugiato-Lefever model to describe arbitrary pulse dynamics in fiber-ring cavities.

Findings

Demonstration of spontaneous symmetry breaking

Observation of multistability regimes

Model applicability to various waveguide ring cavities

Abstract

We introduce a new equation that describes the spatio-temporal evolution of arbitrary pulses propagating in a fiber-ring cavity. This model is a significant extension of the traditionally used Lugiato-Lefever model. We demonstrate spontaneous symmetry breaking as well as multistability regimes in a synchronously pumped fiber-ring cavity. The equation can be applied to virtually any type of waveguide-based ring cavity.