Dissipative Kerr solitons in integrated Fabry–Perot microresonators

Abstract

Dissipative Kerr solitons (DKSs) in integrated microresonators have enabled breakthroughs in sensing, communication, and signal processing. So far, integrated DKS sources have relied exclusively on ring-type resonators where the resonator’s dispersion is defined by its waveguide. Means of engineering the dispersion that go beyond modifying the waveguide’s cross section are needed for accessing new wavelength and operating regimes. Here, we demonstrate DKS generation from a continuous-wave driving-laser in an integrated Fabry–Perot microresonator. In this topology, the dispersion is not dominated by the waveguide but by nanostructured photonic crystal mirrors. Leveraging wafer-level fabrication, high intrinsic Q-factors of 4 million are achieved and unintentional avoided mode crossings that can prevent DKS formation are absent. This establishes an integrated resonator topology for DKS generation and creates opportunities for alternative wavelength domains and approaches such as dispersion managed solitons or Nyquist solitons.