Dissipative solitons in photonic molecules

Many physical systems display quantized energy states. In optics, interacting resonant cavities show a transmission spectrum with split eigenfrequencies, similar to the levels that result from states in bonded multi-atomic, i.e. molecular, systems. Here, we study nonlinear dynamics of photonic diatomic molecules linearly coupled microresonators and demonstrate system supports formation self-enforcing solitary waves when laser is tuned across level. The output corresponds frequency comb (microcomb) whose characteristics terms power spectral distribution are unattainable single-mode (atomic) Photonic molecule microcombs coherent, reproducible, reach high conversion efficiency flatness whilst operated few milliwatts. These properties can favor heterogeneous integration semiconductor technology facilitate applications optical communications, spectroscopy astronomy.