Tunable Degenerate Optical Parametric Oscillation with Coupled Microresonators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates tunable degenerate optical parametric oscillation in coupled silicon nitride microresonators, utilizing microheaters for dynamic spectral control, advancing applications in all-optical computing and quantum information.

Contribution

It introduces a novel spectral engineering mechanism in coupled microresonators using microheaters for active tuning of DOPO.

Findings

Successful generation of DOPO with active efficiency control

Dynamic local dispersion tuning via microheaters

Optical mode spacing in the tens of gigahertz range

Abstract

Microresonator-based degenerate optical parametric oscillation (DOPO) has recently been explored as a compelling platform for all-optical computing and quantum information applications, such as truly random number generation and the production of squeezed states of light. Emerging research has highlighted the potential of coupled microresonators, or photonic molecules, as a novel avenue for spectral engineering, unlocking an extra degree of freedom for the optimization of four-wave mixing interactions. Here, we demonstrate DOPO within the coupled modes of a silicon nitride triple-state photonic molecule. Our design introduces a distinctive mechanism for spectral engineering, using microheaters to individually tune the resonance spectral positions, thus enabling dynamic local dispersion control within the coupled modes. We successfully generate a DOPO signal with active efficiency control and explore the optical mode spacing in the tens of gigahertz range to use native phase-locked optical pumps driven by a radio-frequency source.