4-Field spontaneous symmetry breakings in photonic molecules

We present in this work a study of 4-field symmetry breakings in two photonic molecule structures consisting of two identical microresonators with distinct coupling arrangements. Mediated by the Kerr-interaction, the systems also display different 2-field symmetry breakings, periodic switching and chaos. The wide range of nonlinear optical dynamics makes the system ideal for all-optical switching, optical memories, telecommunication systems, polarization controllers and integrated photonic sensors.