Dissipative Kerr solitons in optical microresonators

TL;DR

This paper discusses the discovery, characteristics, and modeling of dissipative Kerr solitons in optical microresonators, highlighting their role in generating broadband, coherent optical frequency combs.

Contribution

It provides experimental observations, analytical and numerical models, and explores applications in integrated microresonators for broadband frequency combs.

Findings

Stable generation of dissipative Kerr solitons demonstrated

Spectral broadening and self-referencing achieved

Dispersive waves enable broadband, coherent spectra

Abstract

This chapter describes the discovery and stable generation of temporal dissipative Kerr solitons in continuous-wave (CW) laser driven optical microresonators. The experimental signatures as well as the temporal and spectral characteristics of this class of bright solitons are discussed. Moreover, analytical and numerical descriptions are presented that do not only reproduce qualitative features but can also be used to accurately model and predict the characteristics of experimental systems. Particular emphasis lies on temporal dissipative Kerr solitons with regard to optical frequency comb generation where they are of particular importance. Here, one example is spectral broadening and self-referencing enabled by the ultra-short pulsed nature of the solitons. Another example is dissipative Kerr soliton formation in integrated on-chip microresonators where the emission of a dispersive wave allows for the direct generation of unprecedentedly broadband and coherent soliton spectra with smooth spectral envelope.