Chip-scale Kerr comb generators have emerged as a novel class of light sources with disruptive potential for a variety of applications such as hyper-scale optical communications, LiDAR, high-resolution spectroscopy, or ultra-broadband signal processing. Kerr combs have not yet found their way into commercially relevant applications. This is mainly caused by the fact that high-performance comb generators are currently not available as commercial products.

Vision of an integrated LiDAR system based on a Kerr comb. P. Trocha et al., Ultrafast optical ranging using microresonator soliton frequency combs., Science 359, 887-891 (2018)

Another obstacle is the lack of additional tools that are needed for comb-based signal processing.

CombTools aims at overcoming these obstacles by establishing a powerful technology base and a corresponding ecosystem for leveraging the full potential of Kerr combs in highly relevant application fields.

Silicon nitride chips with ring resonators for Kerr comb generation. © EPFL