Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1711.08931 · Physical Review A

X-ray-frequency modulation via periodic switching of an external magnetic field

Gregor Nicolas Ramien, Jonas Gunst, Xiangjin Kong, Adriana Pálffy

Published Jun 29, 2018• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Single x-ray photons can be resonantly scattered and stored with the help of suitable transitions in the atomic nucleus. Here, we investigate theoretically means of mechanical-free modulation for the frequency spectra of such x-ray photons via periodic switching of an external magnetic field. We show that periodically switching on and off an external magnetic field generating hyperfine splitting of the nuclear transition leads to the generation of equidistant narrow sidebands of the resonantly scattered response. This frequency-comb-like structure depends on the magnitude and orientation of the applied magnetic field and on the switching period. An analytical approach for the characterization of the comblike frequency spectrum is presented. The feasibility of the external control on the frequency modulation of the x-ray response is discussed in view of possible applications in high-resolution spectroscopy or quantum technology.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.97.063858

Related papers

Field control of single x-ray photons in nuclear forward scattering

Xiangjin Kong, Wen-Te Liao, Adriana Pálffy

Means to coherently control single x-ray photons in resonant scattering of light off nuclei by electric or magnetic fields are investigated theoretically. In order to derive the time response in nuclear forward scattering, we adapt the Maxwell–Bloch equations known from quantum optics to describe the resonant light pulse propagation through a nuclear medium. Two types of time-dependent perturbations of nuclear forward scattering are considered for coherent control of the resonantly scattered x-ray quanta. Firstly, the simultaneous coherent propagation of two pulses through the nuclear sample is addressed. We find that the signal of a weak pulse can be enhanced or suppressed by a stronger pulse simultaneously propagating through the sample in counter-propagating geometry. Secondly, the effect of a time-dependent hyperfine splitting is investigated and we put forward a scheme that allows parts of the spectrum to be shifted forward in time. This is the inverse effect of coherent photon storage and may become a valuable technique if single x-ray photon wavepackets are to become the information carriers in future photonic circuits.

arXiv:1310.6235•New Journal of Physics•Jan 30, 2014•20 citations

Coherent Storage and Phase Modulation of Single Hard-X-Ray Photons Using Nuclear Excitons

Wen-Te Liao, Adriana Pálffy, Christoph H. Keitel

The coherent storage and phase modulation of x-ray single-photon wave packets in the resonant scattering of light off nuclei is theoretically investigated. We show that by switching off and on again the magnetic field in the nuclear sample, phase-sensitive storage of photons in the keV regime can be achieved. Corresponding π phase modulation of the stored photon can be accomplished if the retrieving magnetic field is rotated by 180°. The development of such x-ray single-photon control techniques is a first step towards forwarding quantum optics and quantum information to shorter wavelengths and more compact photonic devices.

arXiv:1205.5503•Physical Review Letters•Nov 9, 2012•58 citations

Stopping Narrow-Band X-Ray Pulses in Nuclear Media

Xiangjin Kong, Adriana Pálffy

A control mechanism for stopping x-ray pulses in resonant nuclear media is investigated theoretically. We show that narrow-band x-ray pulses can be mapped and stored as nuclear coherence in a thin-film planar x-ray cavity with an embedded ^{57}Fe nuclear layer. The pulse is nearly resonant to the 14.4 keV Mössbauer transition in the ^{57}Fe nuclei. The role of the control field is played here by a hyperfine magnetic field which induces interference effects reminiscent of electromagnetically induced transparency. We show that, by switching off the control magnetic field, a narrow-band x-ray pulse can be completely stored in the cavity for approximately 100 ns. Additional manipulation of the external magnetic field can lead to both group velocity and phase control of the pulse in the x-ray cavity sample.

arXiv:1508.06762•Physical Review Letters•May 10, 2016•31 citations

Quantum control of x-ray spectra

Stefano M. Cavaletto

The direct and optical control of x-ray transitions is studied theoretically by investigating the spectra of resonance fluorescence and absorption. The work is motivated by the rapid advances in x-ray science, enabling the application of quantum-control schemes at short wavelengths. In a two-level system we study Rabi oscillations of atomic inner-shell electrons, induced by intense x-ray pulses and competing with Auger decay, and their signature in the spectrum of resonance fluorescence. Subsequently, optical manipulation of x-ray transitions is examined, by employing an optical frequency comb coupling nearby excited levels to control their spontaneous decay. First, narrow-bandwidth x rays are adopted, giving rise to the periodic shaping of the atomic dynamic variables and the imprinting of a comb onto the x-ray resonance fluorescence spectrum. A more realistic model for an immediate experimental implementation is then provided, by developing a scheme to imprint a comb onto the absorption spectrum of an ultrashort x-ray pulse. An experimental realization of the predicted comb structures is anticipated to transfer the accuracy of optical frequency combs into the x-ray regime

•Jan 1, 2013•1 citation

Spectral control over $γ$-ray echo using a nuclear frequency comb system

Yeh, Chia-Jung, Lin, Po-Han, Xiwen Zhang +2 more

Two kinds of spectral control over $γ$-ray echo using a nuclear frequency comb system are theoretically investigated. A nuclear frequency comb system is composed of multiple nuclear targets under magnetization (hyperfine splitting), mechanical motion (Doppler shift) or both, namely, moving and magnetized targets. In frequency domain the unperturbed single absorption line of $γ$-ray therefore splits into multiple lines with equal spacing and becomes a nuclear frequency comb structure. We introduce spectral shaping and dynamical splitting to the frequency comb structure respectively to optimize the use of a medium and to break the theoretical maximum of echo efficiency, i.e., 54\%. Spectral shaping scheme leads to the reduction of required sample resonant thickness for achieving high echo efficiency of especially a broadband input. Dynamical splitting method significantly advances the echo efficiency up to 67\% revealed by two equivalent nuclear frequency comb systems. We also show that using only few targets is enough to obtain good echo performance, which significantly eases the complexity of implementation. Our results extend quantum optics to 10keV regime and lay the foundation of the development of $γ$-ray memory.

arXiv:1907.02672•Jul 5, 2019•1 citation

Storage and manipulation of single x-ray photons via nuclear hyperfine splitting

Guangru Bai, Zengxiu Zhao, Jianpeng Liu +3 more

We introduce a technique to store and manipulate single x-ray photons, which relies on dynamically controlled absorption via nuclear hyperfine magnetic splitting. This scheme is inherently suitable for storage, on-demand generation, and dynamical manipulation of single x-ray photons, for instance, the manipulation of the temporal shape, temporal splitting, the interference between x-ray photons, and the control of the polarization. Our approach provides more opportunities in x-ray quantum information.

arXiv:2204.04846•Physical Review A•Jul 26, 2022•2 citations
Single x-ray photons can be resonantly scattered and stored with the help of suitable transitions in the atomic nucleus. Here, we investigate theoretically means of mechanical-free modulation for the frequency spectra of such x-ray photons via periodic switching of an external magnetic field. We show that periodically switching on and off an external magnetic field generating hyperfine splitting of the nuclear transition leads to the generation of equidistant narrow sidebands of the resonantly scattered response. This frequency-comb-like structure depends on the magnitude and orientation of the applied magnetic field and on the switching period. An analytical approach for the characterization of the comblike frequency spectrum is presented. The feasibility of the external control on the frequency modulation of the x-ray response is discussed in view of possible applications in high-resolution spectroscopy or quantum technology.
Means to coherently control single x-ray photons in resonant scattering of light off nuclei by electric or magnetic fields are investigated theoretically. In order to derive the time response in nuclear forward scattering, we adapt the Maxwell–Bloch equations known from quantum optics to describe the resonant light pulse propagation through a nuclear medium. Two types of time-dependent perturbations of nuclear forward scattering are considered for coherent control of the resonantly scattered x-ray quanta. Firstly, the simultaneous coherent propagation of two pulses through the nuclear sample is addressed. We find that the signal of a weak pulse can be enhanced or suppressed by a stronger pulse simultaneously propagating through the sample in counter-propagating geometry. Secondly, the effect of a time-dependent hyperfine splitting is investigated and we put forward a scheme that allows parts of the spectrum to be shifted forward in time. This is the inverse effect of coherent photon storage and may become a valuable technique if single x-ray photon wavepackets are to become the information carriers in future photonic circuits.
The coherent storage and phase modulation of x-ray single-photon wave packets in the resonant scattering of light off nuclei is theoretically investigated. We show that by switching off and on again the magnetic field in the nuclear sample, phase-sensitive storage of photons in the keV regime can be achieved. Corresponding π phase modulation of the stored photon can be accomplished if the retrieving magnetic field is rotated by 180°. The development of such x-ray single-photon control techniques is a first step towards forwarding quantum optics and quantum information to shorter wavelengths and more compact photonic devices.
A control mechanism for stopping x-ray pulses in resonant nuclear media is investigated theoretically. We show that narrow-band x-ray pulses can be mapped and stored as nuclear coherence in a thin-film planar x-ray cavity with an embedded ^{57}Fe nuclear layer. The pulse is nearly resonant to the 14.4 keV Mössbauer transition in the ^{57}Fe nuclei. The role of the control field is played here by a hyperfine magnetic field which induces interference effects reminiscent of electromagnetically induced transparency. We show that, by switching off the control magnetic field, a narrow-band x-ray pulse can be completely stored in the cavity for approximately 100 ns. Additional manipulation of the external magnetic field can lead to both group velocity and phase control of the pulse in the x-ray cavity sample.
The direct and optical control of x-ray transitions is studied theoretically by investigating the spectra of resonance fluorescence and absorption. The work is motivated by the rapid advances in x-ray science, enabling the application of quantum-control schemes at short wavelengths. In a two-level system we study Rabi oscillations of atomic inner-shell electrons, induced by intense x-ray pulses and competing with Auger decay, and their signature in the spectrum of resonance fluorescence. Subsequently, optical manipulation of x-ray transitions is examined, by employing an optical frequency comb coupling nearby excited levels to control their spontaneous decay. First, narrow-bandwidth x rays are adopted, giving rise to the periodic shaping of the atomic dynamic variables and the imprinting of a comb onto the x-ray resonance fluorescence spectrum. A more realistic model for an immediate experimental implementation is then provided, by developing a scheme to imprint a comb onto the absorption spectrum of an ultrashort x-ray pulse. An experimental realization of the predicted comb structures is anticipated to transfer the accuracy of optical frequency combs into the x-ray regime
Spectral control over γγγ-ray echo using a nuclear frequency comb system
Two kinds of spectral control over γγγ-ray echo using a nuclear frequency comb system are theoretically investigated. A nuclear frequency comb system is composed of multiple nuclear targets under magnetization (hyperfine splitting), mechanical motion (Doppler shift) or both, namely, moving and magnetized targets. In frequency domain the unperturbed single absorption line of γγγ-ray therefore splits into multiple lines with equal spacing and becomes a nuclear frequency comb structure. We introduce spectral shaping and dynamical splitting to the frequency comb structure respectively to optimize the use of a medium and to break the theoretical maximum of echo efficiency, i.e., 54\%. Spectral shaping scheme leads to the reduction of required sample resonant thickness for achieving high echo efficiency of especially a broadband input. Dynamical splitting method significantly advances the echo efficiency up to 67\% revealed by two equivalent nuclear frequency comb systems. We also show that using only few targets is enough to obtain good echo performance, which significantly eases the complexity of implementation. Our results extend quantum optics to 10keV regime and lay the foundation of the development of γγγ-ray memory.
We introduce a technique to store and manipulate single x-ray photons, which relies on dynamically controlled absorption via nuclear hyperfine magnetic splitting. This scheme is inherently suitable for storage, on-demand generation, and dynamical manipulation of single x-ray photons, for instance, the manipulation of the temporal shape, temporal splitting, the interference between x-ray photons, and the control of the polarization. Our approach provides more opportunities in x-ray quantum information.