Abstract
The coherent storage and phase modulation of x-ray single-photon wave packets in the resonant scattering of light off nuclei is theoretically investigated. We show that by switching off and on again the magnetic field in the nuclear sample, phase-sensitive storage of photons in the keV regime can be achieved. Corresponding phase modulation of the stored photon can be accomplished if the retrieving magnetic field is rotated by 180°. The development of such x-ray single-photon control techniques is a first step towards forwarding quantum optics and quantum information to shorter wavelengths and more compact photonic devices.
- Received 2 May 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.197403
© 2012 American Physical Society
Focus
Storing an X-ray Photon
Published 9 November 2012
A theoretical proposal offers a technique for storing an x-ray photon and releasing it with its quantum properties fully intact.
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