arXiv subjects

Joe Itoi

Publications and source records attributed to Joe Itoi.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Exceptional points in diamond optomechanics

Multimode cavity optomechanical systems allow light to couple otherwise non-interacting mechanical resonators, enabling non-Hermitian phenomena such as exceptional points, where eigenfrequencies and eigenvectors of coupled modes coalesce. Accessing an exceptional point and its nearby parameter space is a first step towards chiral mode dynamics and topological state transfer. Diamond optomechanical devices support strong coherent optomechanical coupling required to tune resonances to an exceptional point, as well as strain-coupling to spin-defects for hybrid quantum technologies, but have not yet been used for multimode non-Hermitian physics. Here we tune to an exceptional point in a diamond optomechanical crystal, which uses structural symmetry breaking to produce two high-frequency mechanical resonances coupled to an optical cavity. The exceptional point is reached within a stable operating window below the phonon-lasing threshold, and we observe asymmetric redistribution of optomechanical damping and anti-damping between hybridized modes. These results establish diamond optomechanical crystals as a platform for non-Hermitian optomechanics, opening routes to topological mechanical dynamics in hybrid spin-phonon interfaces.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Photorefractive tuning seeded by third-harmonic light in a diamond photonic crystal cavity

Single-crystal diamond nanocavities have tremendous potential for use in quantum and nonlinear optical technologies. The ability to precisely control their resonant frequencies is essential for many applications, and $\textit{in situ}$ tuning is particularly desirable. In this work, we demonstrate deterministic resonance tuning of a diamond nanocavity. We observed a photorefractive effect in concert with the generation of third-harmonic light within the device. This effect blue-shifted the cavity resonance frequency by $20.2\,(2)\,\text{GHz}$, exceeding the cavity linewidth. The shift corresponded to a fractional change in refractive index of $-1.05\,(1)\times10^{-4}$, and its relaxation occurred over several tens of hours. Although photorefraction is a second-order nonlinear effect and has previously not been observed in diamond owing to its vanishing $\chi^{(2)}$, the observed behaviour is consistent with the generation of non-zero $\chi^{(2)}$ by electric fields from charged crystal defects. In addition to allowing tuning of diamond cavities for resonant nonlinear and quantum photonics applications, this observation could enable the realisation of diamond frequency converters and electro-optical modulators that rely on second-order nonlinearity.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Optical Switching of $\chi^{(2)}$ in Diamond Photonics

Diamond's unique physical properties make it a versatile material for a wide range of nonlinear and quantum photonic technologies. However, unlocking diamond's full potential as a nonlinear photonic material with non-zero second-order susceptibility $\chi^{(2)}\neq0$ requires symmetry breaking. In this work, we use a nanoscale cavity to demonstrate second-harmonic generation (SHG) in diamond, and demonstrate, for the first time, that the magnitude of the diamond's effective $\chi^{(2)}$ strongly depends on the electronic configuration of defects in the diamond crystal, such as nitrogen-vacancy centres. The modification of $\chi^{(2)}$ arises from photoionisation from the negative to neutral charge-state, and is manifested by quenching of SHG upon green illumination. Toggling the green illumination allows for optical switching of the device's $\chi^{(2)}$. Optical control of $\chi^{(2)}$ by defect engineering opens the door for second-order nonlinear processes in diamond.

physics.optics↗