Dissipative solitons in photonic molecules

Many physical systems display quantized energy states. In optics, interacting resonant cavities show a transmission spectrum with split eigenfrequencies, similar to the split energy levels that result from interacting states in bonded multi-atomic-that is, molecular-systems. Here, we study the nonlinear dynamics of photonic diatomic molecules in linearly coupled microresonators and demonstrate that the system supports the formation of self-enforcing solitary waves when a laser is tuned across a split energy level. The output corresponds to a frequency comb (microcomb) whose characteristics in terms of power spectral distribution are unattainable in single-mode (atomic) systems. Photonic molecule microcombs are coherent, reproducible and reach high conversion efficiency and spectral flatness while operated with a laser power of a few milliwatts. These properties can favour the heterogeneous integration of microcombs with semiconductor laser technology and facilitate applications in optical communications, spectroscopy and astronomy. When a laser is tuned across a split energy level, photonic diatomic molecules in two linearly coupled microresonators support the formation of self-enforcing solitary waves, featuring coherent, tunable and reproducible microcombs with up to ten times higher net conversion efficiency than the state of the art.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the nonlinear dynamics of photonic diatomic molecules in two linearly coupled microresonators, demonstrating the formation of self-enforcing solitary waves when a laser is tuned across a split energy level. The resulting microcomb is coherent, tunable, and reproducible, with high conversion efficiency and spectral flatness, making it suitable for applications in optical communications, spectroscopy, and astronomy.