Controlling core-hole lifetime through an x-ray planar cavity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates experimental control over the core-hole lifetime of a tungsten atom's 2p state by using an x-ray planar cavity to adjust the emission rate of resonant fluorescence, aligning with theoretical models.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate core-hole lifetime via cavity mode selection and angle adjustment, a significant advancement in x-ray physics.

Findings

Core-hole lifetime can be controlled through cavity mode tuning.

Resonant fluorescence emission rate is linearly proportional to cavity field amplitude.

Manipulated fluorescence can dominate the core-hole lifetime.

Abstract

It has long been believed that core-hole lifetime (CHL) of an atom is an intrinsic physical property, and controlling it is significant yet is very hard. Here, CHL of the 2p state of W atom is manipulated experimentally through adjusting the emission rate of a resonant fluorescence channel with the assistance of an x-ray thin-film planar cavity. The emission rate is accelerated by a factor linearly proportional to the cavity field amplitude, that can be directly controlled by choosing different cavity modes or changing the angle offset in experiment. This experimental observation is in good agreement with theoretical predictions. It is found that the manipulated resonant fluorescence channel even can dominate the CHL. The controllable CHL realized here will facilitate the nonlinear investigations and modern x-ray scattering techniques in hard x-ray region.