Frequency comb generation in a pulse-pumped normal dispersion Kerr mini-resonator

Abstract: Kerr microresonators driven in the normal dispersion regime typically require the presence of localized dispersion perturbations, such as those induced by avoided mode crossings, to initiate the formation of optical frequency combs. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate that this requirement can be lifted by driving the resonator with a pulsed pump source. We also show that controlling the desynchronization between the pump repetition rate and the cavity free-spectral range (FSR) provides a simple mechanism to tune the center frequency of the output comb. Using a fiber mini-resonator with a radius of only 6 cm we experimentally present spectrally flat combs with a bandwidth of 3 THz whose center frequency can be tuned by more than 2 THz. By driving the cavity at harmonics of its 0.54 GHz FSR, we are able to generate combs with line spacings selectable between 0.54 and 10.8 GHz. The ability to tune both the center frequency and frequency spacing of the output comb highlights the flexibility of this platform. Additionally, we demonstrate that under conditions of large pump-cavity desynchronization, the same cavity also supports a new form of Raman-assisted anomalous dispersion cavity soliton.