X-ray lasing in diatomic molecules

Abstract

We predict high-gain x-ray lasing in diatomic molecules by ultrafast core ionization of the C K- and O K-edges in CO and the N K-edge in N2 with an x-ray free-electron laser source. To estimate the spectral and temporal output of this molecular x-ray laser, we solve generalized Maxwell-Bloch equations, keeping track of the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom. Despite the broad fluorescence bandwidth, the amplified x-ray emission shows a narrow spectrum. By controlling the molecular alignment and thereby the alignment of the transition dipole moment polarization and emission energy control of the x-ray laser radiation is achievable.