Chaotic photonics in microresonators

Abstract

Microcavities, which confine photons to a small volume for extended durations, provide an ideal platform to study, enhance and leverage light–matter interactions. The resulting opportunities encompass a broad range of phenomena, including lasing, sensing, frequency comb and soliton generation, cavity optomechanics and non-Hermitian physics. Many of these applications of cavity photonics show forms of optical chaos, such as wave chaos in asymmetric microresonators, chaotic Kerr microcomb dynamics and chaos in cavity optomechanical systems. In this Review, we offer a perspective on the intersection of microcavity photonics and chaotic systems by detailing recent progress across multiple material platforms and system architectures. We highlight the latest experimental and theoretical advances and discuss new opportunities for both technological development and fundamental research. This Review aims to broaden the scope of photonic technologies and deepen the understanding of complex dynamics in optical systems by illuminating new avenues to leverage chaotic behaviour in microcavities. Chaos in photonics is not always a nuisance but often a source of innovation. This Review surveys chaotic microcavity photonics across materials and architectures, highlighting opportunities to harness chaotic dynamics for technology and science.