Large-amplitude diamond optomechanics by traversing a nonlinear attractor
Nonlinear dynamics clamp the amplitude of mechanical resonators driven into self-oscillation by optomechanical backaction. Here we overcome the conventional limits of self-oscillation amplitude by navigating the nonlinear dynamical landscape of a diamond optomechanical cavity supporting coherent optomechanics at room temperature. By exploiting the bistable phase space of the system, we increase the oscillation amplitude by nearly an order of magnitude. This enhancement arises from deterministic access to a high-energy state in the system's nonlinear attractor, and is accompanied by the generation of an optical frequency comb produced by cascaded phonon scattering that underlies the nonlinear dynamics. Our results establish nonlinear attractor engineering as a route to large amplitude coherent phonon generation and provide a platform for optomechanical frequency combs, spin mechanical interfaces in diamond, and precision sensing in ambient conditions.