Ultraviolet Light-Induced Microwave Mode Tuning in a Rutile TiO$_2$ Whispering Gallery Resonator

Abstract

We report the observation of transient nonlinear optical effects in a macroscopic whispering gallery mode resonator made of rutile TiO$_2$, demonstrating strong optical-microwave transduction under laser irradiation. By comparing the effects of ultraviolet (UV, 385 nm) and near-infrared (NIR, 700 nm) radiation, we find that the UV-induced effects are significantly amplified, consistent with the material's semiconductor bandgap energy. The interaction results in frequency shifts of microwave modes and changes in quality factor, suggesting a localized saturable refractive index tuning. This may be attributed to the saturation of a spin transition of a dopant ion within the crystal lattice. Remarkably, these effects are observed at low optical powers, down to nanowatt levels, indicating high sensitivity and efficient of light-matter interaction in this system. The phenomenon is centered around 15 GHz, yet electron spin resonance measurements reveal no zero-field splitting at this frequency, suggesting an alternative mechanism beyond conventional spin resonance. These findings highlight the potential of low-power optical control of microwave modes in high-Q resonators for applications in quantum technologies, sensing, and reconfigurable photonic-microwave systems.