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A chip-based optoelectronic-oscillator frequency comb

delete2025-07-22
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OA
AI
J
Jinbao Long
Z
Zhongkai Wang
H
Huanfa Peng
W
Wei Sun
D
Dengke Chen
S
Shichang Li
S
Shuyi Li
Y
Yi-Han Luo
J
Jijun He
L
Lan Gao
B
Baoqi Shi
C
Chen Shen
L
Linze Li
T
Tianyu Long
B
Baile Chen
Z
Zhenyu Li
J
Junqiu Liu *
DOI:10.1186/s43593-025-00094-wdelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Microresonator-based Kerr frequency combs (“Kerr microcombs”) constitute chip-scale frequency combs of broad spectral bandwidth and repetition rate ranging from gigahertz to terahertz. A critical application that exploits the coherence and high repetition rate of microcombs is microwave and millimeter-wave generation. Latest endeavor applying two-point optical frequency division (OFD) to photonic-chip-based microcombs has created microwaves with remarkably low phase noise. Nevertheless, existing approaches to achieve exceptionally coherent microcombs still require extensive active locking, additional lasers, and external RF or microwave sources, as well as sophisticated initiation. Here we demonstrate a simple and entirely passive (no active locking) architecture, which incorporates an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) and symphonizes a coherent microcomb and a low-noise microwave spontaneously. Our OEO microcomb leverages state-of-the-art integrated chip devices, including a high-power DFB laser, a broadband silicon Mach–Zehnder modulator, an ultralow-loss silicon nitride microresonator, and a high-speed photodetector. Each can be manufactured in large volume with low cost and high yield using established CMOS and III-V foundries. Our system synergizes a microcomb of 10.7 GHz repetition rate and an X-band microwave with phase noise of − 97/ − 126/ − 130 dBc/Hz at 1/10/100 kHz Fourier frequency offset, yet does not demand active locking, additional lasers, and external RF or microwave sources. With potential to be fully integrated, our OEO microcomb can become an invaluable technology and building block for microwave photonics, radio-over-fiber, and optical communication.
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eLight
IF:
32.1
Papers:
136
Citations:
1.8K

Organization

I
institute of photonics and quantum electronics
Scholars:
1
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
S
School of Information Science and Technology
Scholars:
442
Papers: 157
Citations: 0
H
hefei national laboratory
Scholars:
344
Papers: 199
Citations: 0
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