Frequency Comb Generation via Cascaded Second-Order Nonlinearities in Microresonators

Optical frequency combs are revolutionizing modern time and frequency metrology. In the past years, their range of applications has increased substantially, driven by their miniaturization through microresonator-based solutions. The combs in such devices are typically generated using the third-order chi((3)) nonlinearity of the resonator material. An alternative approach is making use of second-order chi((2)) nonlinearities. While the idea of generating combs this way has been around for almost two decades, so far only few demonstrations are known, based either on bulky bow-tie cavities or on relatively low-Q waveguide resonators. Here, we present the first such comb that is based on a millimeter-sized microresonator made of lithium niobate, that allows for cascaded second-order nonlinearities. This proof-of-concept device comes already with pump powers as low as 2 mW, generating repetition-rate-locked combs around 1064 and 532 nm. From the nonlinear dynamics point of view, the observed combs correspond to Turing roll patterns.