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 1598

Areas 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

More information

Latest update

9/22/2023