Electric dipole-forbidden nuclear transitions driven by super-intense laser fields

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of super-intense laser fields to drive electric dipole-forbidden nuclear transitions, highlighting the feasibility of coherently exciting nuclei via magnetic dipole (M1) transitions for experimental observation.

Contribution

It identifies suitable nuclear transitions driven by intense lasers, including detailed quantum descriptions and resonance conditions, advancing the understanding of laser-nucleus interactions beyond the dipole approximation.

Findings

Magnetic dipole (M1) nuclear transitions are promising for coherent laser excitation.

Resonance energies and transition matrix elements are key for effective driving.

Implications for controlled nuclear state preparation and experimental observation.

Abstract

Electric dipole-forbidden transitions of nuclei interacting with super-intense laser fields are investigated considering stable isotopes with suitable low-lying first excited states. Different classes of transitions are identified, and all magnetic sublevels corresponding to the near-resonantly driven nuclear transition are included in the description of the nuclear quantum system. We find that large transition matrix elements and convenient resonance energies qualify nuclear M1 transitions as good candidates for the coherent driving of nuclei. We discuss the implications of resonant interaction of intense laser fields with nuclei beyond the dipole approximation for the controlled preparation of excited nuclear states and important aspects of possible experiments aimed at observing these effects.