Quantum diffusion of microcavity solitons

Coherently pumped (Kerr) solitons in an ideal optical microcavity are expected to undergo random quantum motion that determines fundamental performance limits in applications of the soliton microcombs(1). Here this random walk and its impact on Kerr soliton timing jitter are studied experimentally. The quantum limit is discerned by measuring the relative position of counter-propagating solitons(2). Their relative motion features weak interactions and also presents common-mode suppression of technical noise, which typically hides the quantum fluctuations. This is in contrast to co-propagating solitons, which are found to have relative timing jitter well below the quantum limit of a single soliton on account of strong correlation of their mutual motion. Good agreement is found between theory and experiment. The results establish the fundamental limits to timing jitter in soliton microcombs and provide new insights on multisoliton physics.

Automated summary

Studies have found that coherently pumped solitons in an ideal optical microcavity exhibit weak interaction and common-mode suppression of quantum fluctuations when they are counter-propagating, while co-propagating solitons show relative timing jitter well below the quantum limit due to their strong correlation of mutual motion. The experimental results are in good agreement with theory, establishing the fundamental limits to timing jitter in soliton microcombs and providing new insights on multisoliton physics.