Slow modulation unlocks mode-locking via parametric amplification in photonic molecule.

Dong Liu, Yadong Jiao, Luojia Wang, Zhaohui Dong, Yanyan He, Guangzhen Li, Yikai Su, Xianfeng Chen, Xingchen Ji, Luqi Yuan

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Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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10 authors.

Dong Liu *State Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-6334-3951

Yadong Jiao *State Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, Department of Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. yadongj@sjtu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-7313-8940

Luojia WangState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. ljwang@sjtu.edu.cn.

Zhaohui DongState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6388-6879

Yanyan HeState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

Guangzhen LiState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0213-2181

Yikai SuState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, Department of Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1526-8187

Xianfeng ChenState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7574-2047

Xingchen JiState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, Department of Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. xingchenji@sjtu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0284-0818

Luqi YuanState Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. yuanluqi@sjtu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9481-0247

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 12122407, 12204304, 12192252, 62341508

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Artificial photonic molecule systems consisted of coupled ring resonators have emerged as a promising platform for simulating programmable discrete energy levels and transitions in quantum optics. This capability has led to diverse applications, such as optical frequency combs, avalanche photodiodes, photonic molecule switches and spectrometers. In this work, we unveil the parametric amplification in a photonic molecule, which generates mode-locked pulses at a significantly low modulation frequency matching the photonic molecule's level spacing. Proof-of-principle experiments are performed using fiber-based cavities. The results show stable mode-locking at a modulation frequency significantly lower than the free-spectral-range (FSR) of the rings, with a ratio reaching up to 1:75, and potential for further reduction through parametric optimization. These findings overcome the strict requirement in active mode-locking where the modulation is usually resonant with the FSR. Our design, in turn, enables the realization of integrated pulsed laser sources within small-footprint resonators under slow and broadband modulation. Additionally, the generated mode-locked pulses from our approach demonstrate burst-mode emission with adjustable powers. This feature allows for the precise customization of optimal pulse fluences, which can be beneficial for various applications, ranging from precision matching to spectroscopy.

Identifiers

PMID42860397

DOI10.1038/s41467-026-77172-1

PMCPMC13654984

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