Exploring the nonlinear regime of light-matter interaction using electronic spins in diamond

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonlinear interactions between electronic spins in diamond defects and microwave resonators, revealing strong nonlinear effects near spin resonances with implications for magnetic resonance imaging sensitivity.

Contribution

It provides experimental and theoretical analysis of nonlinear light-matter interactions involving diamond defect spins in microwave cavities, highlighting their impact on imaging techniques.

Findings

Strong nonlinearity observed near spin resonance

Good agreement between data and theoretical models

Nonlinear effects may limit magnetic resonance sensitivity

Abstract

The coupling between defects in diamond and a superconducting microwave resonator is studied in the nonlinear regime. Both negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy and P1 defects are explored. The measured cavity mode response exhibits strong nonlinearity near a spin resonance. Data is compared with theoretical predictions and a good agreement is obtained in a wide range of externally controlled parameters. The nonlinear effect under study in the current paper is expected to play a role in any cavity-based magnetic resonance imaging technique and to impose a fundamental limit upon its sensitivity.