Self-organization in soliton modelocked parametric frequency combs

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that phase self-organization in soliton modelocked parametric frequency combs can be understood through simplified phase equations similar to the Kuramoto model, explaining soliton formation mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a reduced phase model for soliton modelocking, revealing self-organization processes and clarifying the role of chaos and phase dynamics in comb formation.

Findings

Self-organization occurs via phase synchronization mechanisms.

The phase equations predict a broadband phase-locked state.

Chaotic states play a role in soliton formation.

Abstract

We show that self-organization occurs in the phase dynamics of soliton modelocking in paramet- ric frequency combs. Reduction of the Lugiato-Lefever equation (LLE) to a simpler set of phase equations reveals that this self-organization arises via mechanisms akin to those in the Kuramoto model for synchronization of coupled oscillators. In addition, our simulations show that the phase equations evolve to a broadband phase-locked state, analogous to the soliton formation process in the LLE. Our simplified equations intuitively explain the origin of the pump phase offset in soliton- modelocked parametric frequency combs. They also predict that the phase of the intracavity field undergoes an anti-symmetrization that precedes phase synchronization, and they clarify the role of chaotic states in soliton formation in parametric combs.