2026-03-16 ハーバード大学
＜関連情報＞
- https://seas.harvard.edu/news/clear-roadmap-engineering-combs-light
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-026-03198-3
プログラム可能な共振型電気光学周波数コムの普遍的なダイナミクスとマイクロ波制御 Universal dynamics and microwave control of programmable resonant electro-optic frequency combs
Yunxiang Song,Tianqi Lei,Yanyun Xue,Andrea Cordaro,Michael Haas,Guanhao Huang,Xudong Li,Shengyuan Lu,Letícia Magalhães,Jiayu Yang,Matthew Yeh,Xinrui Zhu,Neil Sinclair,Qihuang Gong,Yaowen Hu & Marko Lončar
Nature Physics Published:12 March 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-026-03198-3
Abstract
Electro-optic frequency combs are foundational for applications in metrology and spectroscopy. Specifically, microresonator-based electro-optic combs are distinguished by efficient sideband generation, enabling high-performance integrated frequency references and pulse sources. However, the apparent simplicity of these devices, often described by the electro-optic modulation-induced coupling of nearest-neighbour cavity modes, has resulted in limited investigations of their fundamental physics, thereby restricting their full potential. Here we uncover the universal dynamics underpinning resonant electro-optic microcombs and characterize the full space of nonlinear optical states, controlled by modulation depth and optical detuning using the thin-film lithium niobate photonic platform. Furthermore, we design complex long-range couplings between cavity modes to realize programmable spectro-temporal shaping of the generated combs and pulses. We achieve three technological advances: repetition-rate flexibility, substantial comb bandwidth extension beyond traditional scaling laws and resonantly enhanced flat-top spectrum. Our results provide physical insights for synchronously driven cavity-based electro-optic systems broadly defined, and will enable electrically controlled and electrically enhanced comb generators for next-generation photonic applications.
