X-ray quantum optics with M\"ossbauer nuclei embedded in thin film cavities

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum optical framework for M"ossbauer nuclei in thin film cavities, enabling advanced quantum optical control and analysis of x-ray interactions, with potential for future non-linear quantum effects.

Contribution

It introduces a new quantum optical model for nuclei in x-ray waveguides, applicable to current experimental setups involving 57Fe, and highlights control via magnetization and polarization.

Findings

Derived analytical expressions for experimental conditions.

Showed polarization and magnetization control enable complex quantum schemes.

Model includes non-linear and quantum effects for future exploration.

Abstract

A promising platform for the emerging field of x-ray quantum optics are M\"ossbauer nuclei embedded in thin film cavities probed by near-resonant x-ray light, as used in a number of recent experiments. Here, we develop a quantum optical framework for the description of experimentally relevant settings involving nuclei embedded in x-ray waveguides. We apply our formalism to two settings of current experimental interest based on the archetype M\"ossbauer isotope 57Fe. For present experimental conditions, we derive compact analytical expressions and show that the alignment of medium magnetization as well as incident and detection polarization enable the engineering advanced quantum optical level schemes. The model encompasses non-linear and quantum effects which could become accessible in future experiments.