Kerr frequency comb-based K<inf>a</inf>-band RF photonic oscillator

Abstract

We report on the realization of a packaged RF photonic oscillator based on Kerr optical frequency comb generated in an ultra-high Q crystalline whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator. The oscillator produces spectrally pure RF signals in Ka frequency band, characterized with single sideband phase noise of -110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz. The stability of the free running oscillator is characterized with Allan deviation of 10 −10 at 1 s. We also argue that usage of hyperparametric gain based on cubic nonlinearity of the host material of an optical microresonator as part of an Opto-Electronic Oscillator (OEO) loop allows achieving generation of low noise RF signals in microrezonatorbased OEOs.

Nonlinear and quantum optics with whispering gallery resonators

“…The parametric seeding can be used to improve the combs stability and achieve low frequency and phase noise. It was also suggested that advantage may be taken of the injection locking properties of the Kerr frequency comb oscillator to create an optoelectronic oscillator that involves an active Kerr comb oscillator as a part of the optical loop [445].…”

On Frequency Combs in Monolithic Resonators

“…A relevant development took place in studies of fiber loop cavity solitons where it was shown that modulated pump can be used to control the position of light pulses [84]. To reduce the fluctuations of the repetition rate of the frequency comb it was suggested to take advantage of the injection locking properties of the Kerr frequency comb oscillator and create an opto-electronic oscillator that involves an active Kerr comb oscillator as a part of the optical loop of the opto-electronic circuit [155].…”