Periodic Reporting for period 1 - H2Microcomb (Photonic molecule microcombs)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-04-01 bis 2023-09-30
The aim of this project was to explore the innovation potential of a breakthrough technology for chip-scale frequency comb generation, developed in the context of the ERC Consolidator Grant DarkComb. This technology is based on two coupled microresonators, or photonic molecules, that overcome the fundamental limits of power conversion efficiency and bandwidth of conventional microcombs. The project also leveraged an in-house silicon nitride nanofabrication process that offers ultra-low-loss and dispersion-engineered waveguides, surpassing the state of the art in commercial foundries.
The yield and reproducibility of the silicon nitride devices, including photonic molecule microcombs, were assessed across multiple wafers and chips (see Girardi et al., arXiv:2309.02280). A process design kit was developed, containing a library of basic and advanced photonic components, such as waveguides, couplers, splitters, reflectors, phase shifters, and microresonators. The design kit was compatible with standard software tools and enabled the users to design and fabricate customized photonic integrated circuits using the silicon nitride technology.
The results presented in Girardi et al. arXiv:2309.02280 go significantly beyond the state of the art in that they represent the first yield analysis openly reported of a chip-scale frequency comb generator. Furthermore, the average power conversion efficiency is about 50%, in line with the results for (a single device) demonstrated in Helgason et al., Nature Photonics 17, 992 (2023).