Nonlinear solutions for \chi^(2) frequency combs in optical microresonators

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical existence of  frequency combs in optical microresonators, proposing new steady-state solutions that could lead to innovative nonlinear optical devices, despite current stability challenges.

Contribution

It introduces two families of steady-state nonlinear solutions for  frequency combs in high-Q microresonators, addressing key obstacles and highlighting differences from  combs.

Findings

Proposes soliton and periodic solutions for  combs.

Solutions depend on large group velocity differences.

Stability of solutions remains to be analyzed.

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies of nonlinear frequency combs in \chi^(3) optical microresonators attracted tremendous research interest during the last decade and resulted in prototypes of solitonbased steadily working devices. Realization of similar combs owing to \chi^(2) optical nonlinearity promises new breakthroughs and is a big scientific challenge. We analyze the main obstacles for realization of the \chi^(2) frequency combs in high-Q microresonators and propose two families of steadystate nonlinear solutions, including soliton and periodic solutions, for such combs. Despite generic periodicity of light fields inside microresonators, the nonlinear solutions can be topologically different and relevant to periodic and antiperiodic boundary conditions. The found particular solutions exist owing to a large difference in the group velocities between the first and second harmonics, typical of \chi^(2) microresonators, and to the presence of the pump. They have no zero-pump counterparts relevant to conservative solitons. Stability issue for the found comb solutions remains open and requires further numerical analysis.