Towards nonlinear optics with Mössbauer nuclei using x-ray cavities

Abstract

Strong excitation of nuclear resonances, particularly of Mössbauer nuclei, has been a longstanding goal and the advance of novel x-ray sources is promising new options in this regard. Here we map out the necessary experimental conditions for the more general goal of realizing nonlinear optics with nuclei and compare with available technology. In particular, we present a comprehensive theory of nonlinear nuclear excitation in thin-film x-ray cavities by focused x-ray pulses. We thereby identify cavity geometries with broad resonances which allow one to boost the nuclear excitation even at moderately tight focusing and offer the possibility to mitigate radiation damage.

8 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (6)

• Array Programming with NumPy
• Many-Body Quantum Spin Dynamics with Monte Carlo Trajectories on a Discrete Phase Space
• Interferometric phase detection at x-ray energies via Fano resonance control
• Tunable sub-luminal propagation of narrowband x-ray pulses
• Electric dipole-forbidden nuclear transitions driven by super-intense laser fields
• Cooperative effects in nuclear excitation with coherent x-ray light