Compact, spatial-mode-interaction-free, ultralow-loss, nonlinear photonic integrated circuits

Multi-mode waveguides are ubiquitously used in integrated photonics. Although interaction among different spatial waveguide eigenmodes can induce novel nonlinear phenomena, spatial mode interaction is typically undesired. Adiabatic bends, such as Euler bends, have been favoured to suppress spatial mode interaction. Here, we adapt and optimize Euler bends to build compact racetrack microresonators based on ultralow-loss, multi-mode, silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits. The racetrack microresonators feature a footprint of only 0.21 mm(2) for 19.8 GHz free spectral range, suitable for tight photonic integration. We quantitatively investigate the suppression of spatial mode interaction in the racetrack microresonators with Euler bends. We show that the low optical loss rate (15.5 MHz) is preserved, on par with the mode interaction strength (25 MHz). This results in an unperturbed microresonator dispersion profile. We further generate a single dissipative Kerr soliton of 19.8 GHz repetition rate without complex laser tuning schemes or auxiliary lasers. The optimized Euler bends and racetrack microresonators can be building blocks for integrated nonlinear photonic systems, as well as linear circuits for programmable processors or photonic quantum computing. Adiabatic bends are used to reduce the optical loss of waveguides for integrated optics, but quantitative analysis of their adiabaticity have not been reported. Here, racetrack microresonators with circular and Euler bends are compared quantitatively, showing that the adiabatic Euler bends can preserve low optical loss and avoid spatial mode interaction in multimode waveguides.

Automated summary

This study adapts and optimizes Euler bends to build compact racetrack microresonators based on ultralow-loss, multi-mode, silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits. The researchers quantitatively investigate the suppression of spatial mode interaction and demonstrate the preservation of low optical loss in the microresonators. The optimized Euler bends and racetrack microresonators have potential applications in integrated nonlinear photonic systems and photonic quantum computing.