High-order coherent communications using mode-locked dark-pulse Kerr combs from microresonators
Journal article, 2018
Microresonator frequency combs harness the nonlinear Kerr effect in an integrated optical cavity to generate a multitude of phase-locked frequency lines. The line spacing can reach values in the order of 100 GHz, making it an attractive multi-wavelength light source for applications in fiber-optic communications. Depending on the dispersion of the microresonator, different physical dynamics have been observed. A recently discovered comb state corresponds to the formation of mode-locked dark pulses in a normal-dispersion microcavity. Such dark-pulse combs are particularly compelling for advanced coherent communications since they display unusually high power-conversion efficiency. Here, we report the first coherent-transmission experiments using 64-quadrature amplitude modulation encoded onto the frequency lines of a dark-pulse comb. The high conversion efficiency of the comb enables transmitted optical signal-to-noise ratios above 33 dB, while maintaining a laser pump power level compatible with state-of-the-art hybrid silicon lasers.
Frequency combs
Fibre optics and optical communications
Microresonators
Nonlinear optics
Author
Attila Fülöp
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Mikael Mazur
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Abel Lorences Riesgo
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Instituto de Telecomunicações
Òskar Bjarki Helgason
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Pei-Hsun Wang
Purdue University
Yi Xuan
Purdue University
Dan. E. Leaird
Purdue University
Minghao Qi
Purdue University
Peter Andrekson
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Andrew M Weiner
Purdue University
Victor Torres Company
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Nature Communications
2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)
Vol. 9 1 1598Areas of Advance
Information and Communication Technology
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Subject Categories
Telecommunications
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Other Physics Topics
Nano Technology
DOI
10.1038/s41467-018-04046-6
Related datasets
Data Accompanying "High Order Coherent Communications Using Mode-Locked Dark-Pulse Kerr Combs From Microresonators" [dataset]
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1043967