TY - JOUR
T1 - Synchronization of the internal dynamics of optical soliton molecules
AU - Zou, Defeng
AU - Song, Youjian
AU - Gat, Omri
AU - Hu, Minglie
AU - Grelu, Philippe
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement.
PY - 2022/11/20
Y1 - 2022/11/20
N2 - Compact bound states of light pulses in ultrafast lasers are known as optical soliton molecules. They constitute nonlinear superstructures of choice to investigate complex dynamical phenomena that manifest similarly in a wide range of nonlinear systems. Akin to matter molecules, optical soliton molecules can feature vibrational motions between their internal constituents. However, these vibrations are intrinsically nonlinear, with oscillation frequencies sensitive to system parameters. Therefore, vibrating soliton molecules present an opportunity for control. We here investigate the precise control of their oscillation frequencies through the universal mechanism of synchronization between master and slave oscillators. Self-oscillating soliton molecules are prepared within a passively mode-locked fiber laser. We experimentally demonstrate the synchronization of the internal vibrations of soliton molecules through the optical injection of a master oscillator signal. Direct observation of the synchronization process is enabled by balanced optical cross-correlation detection, a technique allowing real-time detection of intramolecular separation with femtosecond temporal resolution. We show efficient sub-harmonic, fundamental, and super-harmonic synchronization, forming a pattern of Arnold tongues with respect to the injection strength. Numerical simulations support experimental observations. By retrieving these universal synchronization features, the role of the soliton molecule as a nonlinear dynamical system of chief importance is further highlighted.
AB - Compact bound states of light pulses in ultrafast lasers are known as optical soliton molecules. They constitute nonlinear superstructures of choice to investigate complex dynamical phenomena that manifest similarly in a wide range of nonlinear systems. Akin to matter molecules, optical soliton molecules can feature vibrational motions between their internal constituents. However, these vibrations are intrinsically nonlinear, with oscillation frequencies sensitive to system parameters. Therefore, vibrating soliton molecules present an opportunity for control. We here investigate the precise control of their oscillation frequencies through the universal mechanism of synchronization between master and slave oscillators. Self-oscillating soliton molecules are prepared within a passively mode-locked fiber laser. We experimentally demonstrate the synchronization of the internal vibrations of soliton molecules through the optical injection of a master oscillator signal. Direct observation of the synchronization process is enabled by balanced optical cross-correlation detection, a technique allowing real-time detection of intramolecular separation with femtosecond temporal resolution. We show efficient sub-harmonic, fundamental, and super-harmonic synchronization, forming a pattern of Arnold tongues with respect to the injection strength. Numerical simulations support experimental observations. By retrieving these universal synchronization features, the role of the soliton molecule as a nonlinear dynamical system of chief importance is further highlighted.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146132511&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1364/OPTICA.473819
DO - 10.1364/OPTICA.473819
M3 - ???researchoutput.researchoutputtypes.contributiontojournal.article???
AN - SCOPUS:85146132511
SN - 2334-2536
VL - 9
SP - 1307
EP - 1313
JO - Optica
JF - Optica
IS - 11
ER -