Coherent trapping of x-ray photons in crystal cavities in the picosecond regime

Abstract

We report on the trapping of 14keV photons in periods of 1.11–1.67ps by the 12 4 0 backdiffraction in two- and multiplate silicon single-crystal cavities of a few hundred micrometer size. The formation of standing waves inside the cavities ensures better coherence for the x rays. We anticipate that the transmitted x rays through this type of cavities can be used as a quasicoherent x-ray source for probing the dynamic structures of solids, liquids, and biological substances.

Coherent Control of Nuclei and X-Rays

“…With the advent of coherent XFEL sources and x-ray quantum optics and quantum information experiments, phase storage and modulation become crucial for many applications. So far, coherent trapping of hard x-rays in crystal cavities provides photon storage for time intervals in the ps range [123]. Our scheme provides robust phase and polarization storage of the x-ray photon on the 10-100 ns scale determined by the nuclear lifetime.…”

“…Such a task requires mastery of x-ray optics and powerful control tools of single-photon wave packet amplitude, frequency, polarization and phase [122]. The development of x-ray optics elements has made already significant progress with the realization of x-ray diamond mirrors [28,35,60] and cavities [123], hard x-ray waveguides [29,30] and the Fabry-Pérot resonator [31,36,37]. Efficient coherent photon storage for photon delay lines and x-ray phase modulation, preferably even for single-photon wave packets, are next milestones yet to be reached.…”

Synchrotron Radiation Facilities in Taiwan

“…The station effectively complements our photoelectron spectroscopy stations at home for measurements of electronic structure [14]. The undulator line has also been used for numerous high-resolution X-rayscattering experiments such as high-pressure experiments [15], X-ray cavity [16] and, recently, coherent X-ray scattering. We are planning to implement research of these types at TPS with in-vacuum undulator sources.…”

Coherent Storage and Phase Modulation of Single Hard-X-Ray Photons Using Nuclear Excitons

“…With the advent of coherent XFEL sources and x-ray quantum optics and quantum information experiments, phase storage and modulation become crucial for many applications. So far, the coherent trapping of hard x-rays in crystal cavities provides photon storage for time intervals in the ps range [10]. Our scheme provides robust phase and polarization storage of the x-ray photon on the 10-100 ns scale determined by the nuclear lifetime.…”

“…The realization of a short wavelength quantum photonic circuit requires mastery of x-ray optics and powerful control tools of single-photon wave packet amplitude, frequency, polarization, and phase [6]. The development of x-ray optics elements has already made significant progress with the realization of x-ray diamond mirrors [7][8][9] and cavities [10], hard-x-ray waveguides [11,12], and the Fabry-Pérot resonator [13][14][15]. Efficient coherent photon storage for photon delay lines and x-ray phase modulation, preferably even for singlephoton wave packets, are the next milestones to be reached.…”