Thermal and Nonlinear Dissipative-Soliton Dynamics in Kerr Microresonator Frequency Combs (1708.08405v2)

Abstract: We explore the dynamical response of dissipative Kerr solitons to changes in pump power and detuning and show how thermal and nonlinear processes couple these parameters to the frequency-comb degrees of freedom. Our experiments are enabled by a Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) stabilization approach that provides on-demand, radiofrequency control of the frequency comb. PDH locking not only guides Kerr-soliton formation from a cold microresonator, but opens a path to decouple the repetition and carrier-envelope-offset frequencies. In particular, we demonstrate phase stabilization of both Kerr-comb degrees-of-freedom to a fractional frequency precision below 10^-16, compatible with optical-timekeeping technology. Moreover, we investigate the fundamental role that residual laser-resonator detuning noise plays in the spectral purity of microwave generation with Kerr combs.