High-Power Broadly Tunable Electrooptic Frequency Comb Generator

Broadband traveling-wave electrooptic modulators made of lithium niobate have reached a high level of technological maturity. They can provide simultaneously low Vπ, sustain high power (both optical and RF) and yet provide low propagation loss. By combining together these features, we present a high-power handling, broadly tunable, electrooptic frequency comb generator. The device produces between 60 and 75 lines within -10 dB bandwidth over its full tuning range-from 6 to 18 GHz-and can handle up to 1 W of optical input power. This optical frequency comb platform is very well suited for applications in RF photonics and optical communications that require independent RF and optical tuning as well as high-repetition rates but moderate bandwidth.