Dynamic process of soliton generation in CaF2 crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators with negative TO effects
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Calcium fluoride (CaF2) crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators (WGMRs) are emerging as promising platforms for the generation of temporal dissipative Kerr soliton (DKS) or soliton microcomb, attributed to their ultrahigh intrinsic quality factors and favorable anomalous dispersion properties at low power, particularly within the communication and mid-infrared bands. However, their unique negative thermo-optic (TO) effects present in CaF2 WGMRs pose challenges in achieving thermal equilibrium, a critical aspect for stable soliton comb generation. Here, we report the successful demonstration of soliton microcombs in CaF2 WGMRs. Our experiments have revealed a variety of soliton formation dynamics. These encompass the generation of single and multiple solitons, as well as the observation of breathing solitons and vibrational solitons. Particularly noteworthy within our discoveries are the soliton bidirectional switching and soliton self-starting, which are induced by the negative TO effect. We also conducted theoretical analyses using the Lugiato-Lefever Equation (LLE) which incorporates the negative TO effect. The consistency between the theoretical simulations and our experimental results substantiates the authenticity of our observations. The outcomes derived from this study enrich the soliton generation platform and contribute to understanding the formation of solitons in WGMRs composed of various materials exhibiting negative TO effects.
Source: Optics Express
DOI: 10.1364/oe.537846
Authors: Mingfei Qu, Chenhong Li, Kangqi Liu, Weihang Zhu, Yuan Wei, Pengfei Wang, Songbai Kang
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,270
OpenAlex ID: W4403885612