Abstract
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.
Highlights
Recent experimental developments of coherent light sources have opened the xray parameter regime for fascinating coherent control concepts originally developed in quantum optics
This is the inverse effect of coherent photon storage presented in Ref. [29] which shifts the nuclear forward scattering (NFS) signal towards later times
Typically difficult to drive with electromagnetic fields, may be the key to coherently control single x-ray photons in a NFS setup
Summary
In a typical NFS experiment, monochromatized light pulses shine perpendicular to a sample containing Mossbauer nuclei, usually 57Fe. In this scenario, the two ∆m = me − mg = 0 magnetic dipole transitions will be driven by the incident pulse. Where |n is the n-photon Fock state and |C0|2 |C1|2 |C2|2 This relation between the observed photon number events for small n is verified by typical NFS experiments and justifies our classical field treatment for single photons. A rigorous quantum treatment of NFS will hopefully provide more insight in the behaviour of single and few x-ray photons in nuclear samples
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
