Photonic crystal cavity-based intensity modulation for integrated optical frequency comb generation

A simple scheme to generate an integrated, nanoscale optical frequency comb (OFC) is numerically studied. In this study, all optical intensity modulators based on photonic crystal (PhC) cavities are cascaded both in series and parallel. By adjusting the modulation parameters, such as the repetition rate, phase, and coupling efficiency of the modulating wave, it is possible to produce combs with a variety of different characteristics. Unique to PhC intensity modulators, in comparison with standard lithium niobate modulators, is the ability to control the amplitude of the light via a cavity rather than controlling the phase through one arm of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. This opens up modulation-based OFC generation to new possibilities in both nanoscale operation and cavity-based schemes.