Parametric M\"ossbauer radiation source
Abstract
Numerous applications of M\"ossbauer spectroscopy are related to a unique resolution of absorption spectra of resonant radiation in crystals, when the nucleus absorbs a photon without a recoil. However, the narrow nuclear linewidth renders efficient driving of the nuclei challenging, restricting precision spectroscopy, nuclear inelastic scattering and nuclear quantum optics. Moreover, the need for dedicated X-ray optics restricts access to only few isotopes, impeding precision spectroscopy of a wider class of systems. Here, we put forward a novel M\"ossbauer source, which offers a high resonant photon flux for a large variety of M\"ossbauer isotopes, based on relativistic electrons moving through a crystal and emitting parametric M\"ossbauer radiation essentially unattenuated by electronic absorption. As a result, a collimated beam of resonant photons is formed, without the need for additional monochromatization. We envision the extension of high-precision M\"ossbauer spectroscopy to a wide range of isotopes at accelerator facilities using dumped electron beams.