Optical Kerr frequency combs: Modelling and applications

Whispering gallery mode resonators have generated a broad interest in recent years. From a fundamental point of view, they enable to investigate various phenomena related light-matter interactions, as well as the dynamics of photons confined in nonlinear media, from both the classical and quantum perspectives. From the applied viewpoint, WGM resonators are considered as a core photonic component in the emerging discipline of microwave photonics. They are considered as promising central elements for optical filtering, add-drop systems, miniature solid-state lasers, efficient light modulators, and so on. Both aerospace and communication engineering are expected to be the areas where the impact of WGM technology will be the strongest. We provide in this communication an overview of the field as well as of the various perspectives on the challenges that will have to be met in this new discipline.