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Stasis Chuchurka

Publications and source records attributed to Stasis Chuchurka.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Preparation and control of electronic wave packets in neutral molecules via attosecond x-ray processes

We present a perturbative framework for computing the dynamics of an electronic wave packet launched by an attosecond x-ray pulse in a neutral molecule. The x-ray pulse excites the molecule via both x-ray absorption and Impulsive Stimulated X-ray Raman Scattering (ISXRS), coherently populating both the core-excited states and valence-excited states. We describe the electronic structure within the Equation-of-Motion Coupled-Cluster framework, adopting a compact representation of the sum over states expression characterizing the second-order perturbative description of ISXRS. We study the coherent electronic dynamics in OCS and oxazole utilizing the time-dependent difference electron density, decomposing it in terms of its perturbative components. While the core-excited components dominate the initial stages of the dynamics, the valence-excited components dominate the electronic dynamics on a longer time scale. The pulse polarization controls the symmetry of the states included in the wave packet. We show how the spatial symmetry of the states plays a role in shaping the spatial properties of charge migration. The atom-specificity of the ISXRS process translates directly into the initial localization of the wave packet. This determines the starting point of charge migration, shaping its subsequent evolution.

physics.chem-ph

Non-Markovian dynamics in nonstationary Gaussian baths: a hierarchy of pure states approach

Building on the standard hierarchy of pure states (HOPS) approach, we construct a generalized formulation suitable for open quantum systems interacting with nonstationary Gaussian baths, potentially extending its applicability to nonequilibrium baths. This is achieved by extending the conventional exponential decomposition of a bath correlation function (BCF) for nonstationary cases. Using our formulation of HOPS, we derive the corresponding hierarchy of master equations and, when each term in the BCF expansion can be associated with an independent physical bath, we show how the formalism connects to the well-known pseudomode representation. We demonstrate the method's performance on two examples of nonstationary squeezed reservoirs generated via uniform squeezing and degenerate parametric amplification in a one-sided cavity. Benchmarking against the hierarchy of master equations shows that HOPS is more efficient under hierarchy truncation. The pseudomode representation is shown to be more efficient in the strongly non-Markovian regime. Our results highlight HOPS as a versatile and powerful tool for simulating open quantum systems in nonstationary baths, with potential applications ranging from squeezed light-matter interactions to driven quantum materials and dissipative phase transitions.

quant-ph

Experimental demonstration of attosecond hard X-ray pulses

We present the first direct experimental confirmation of attosecond pulse generation in the hard X-ray regime with a free-electron laser. Our experiment is based on measurements of a nonlinear optical phenomenon known as amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from 3d transition metals. By analyzing the yield of the collective X-ray fluorescence induced by ultrashort pulses at the Linac Coherent Light Source, we identify the generation of attosecond pulses and shot-to-shot fluctuations in their duration, ranging from 100 as to 400 as. The observed product of bandwidth and pulse duration for 100 as pulses is approximately 2 fs$\cdot$eV, indicating the generation of nearly transform-limited pulses. Our results extend the photon energy reach of attosecond techniques by one order of magnitude, providing the ability to simultaneously probe matter on the time-scales of electronic phenomena and with atomic spatial resolution. Furthermore, attosecond hard X-ray pulses can outrun the fastest radiation damage processes, paving the way to single-shot damage-free X-ray measurements.

physics.optics

Experimentally constrained wave function method

In this work, we extend the x-ray constrained wavefunction fitting approach, a key method in quantum crystallography for charge density reconstruction, to incorporate experimental observables beyond x-ray diffraction. Unlike traditional quantum crystallography methods, which are typically limited to molecules in their ground states, our approach integrates excited states. This advancement will enable simultaneous fitting of x-ray diffraction data alongside optical and x-ray spectroscopic data. We introduce a comprehensive theoretical framework that allows for the inclusion of any experimental observable as a constraint in wavefunction reconstruction. Furthermore, we provide detailed derivations and instructions for implementation of this method using two electronicstructure methods: a generalized Hartree-Fock method for excited states and the Coupled Cluster Equation-of-motion method.

quant-ph

Attosecond Inner-Shell Lasing at Angstrom Wavelengths

Since the invention of the laser nonlinear effects such as filamentation, Rabi-cycling and collective emission have been explored in the optical regime leading to a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) have led to the extension of many optical techniques to X-rays for their advantages of angstrom scale spatial resolution and elemental specificity. One such example is XFEL driven population inversion of 1s core hole states resulting in inner-shell K${\alpha}$ (2p to 1s) X-ray lasing in elements ranging from neon to copper, which has been utilized for nonlinear spectroscopy and development of next generation X-ray laser sources. Here we show that strong lasing effects, similar to those observed in the optical regime, can occur at 1.5 to 2.1 angstrom wavelengths during high intensity (> ${10^{19}}$ W/cm${^{2}}$) XFEL driven inner-shell lasing and superfluorescence of copper and manganese. Depending on the temporal substructure of the XFEL pump pulses(containing ${~10^{6}}$ - ${10^{8}}$ photons) i, the resulting inner-shell X-ray laser pulses can exhibit strong spatial inhomogeneities as well as spectral splitting, inhomogeneities and broadening. Through 3D Maxwell Bloch theory we show that the observed spatial inhomogeneities result from X-ray filamentation, and that the spectral splitting and broadening is driven by Rabi cycling with sub-femtosecond periods. Our simulations indicate that these X-ray pulses can have pulse lengths of less than 100 attoseconds and coherence properties that open the door for quantum X-ray optics applications.

physics.optics

Stochastic modeling of x-ray superfluorescence

An approach to modeling the dynamics of x-ray amplified spontaneous emission and superfluorescence -- the phenomenon of collective x-ray emission initiated by intense pulses of X-ray Free Electron Lasers -- is developed based on stochastic partial differential equations. The equations are derived from first principles, and the relevant approximations, derivation steps, and extensions specific to stimulated x-ray emission are presented. The resulting equations take the form of three-dimensional generalized Maxwell-Bloch equations augmented with noise terms for both field and atomic variables. The derived noise terms possess specific correlation properties that enable the correct reconstruction of spontaneous emission. Consequently, the developed theoretical formalism is universally suitable for describing all stages of stimulated x-ray emission: spontaneous emission, amplified spontaneous emission, and superfluorescence. We present numerical examples that illustrate various properties of the emitted field, including spatio-temporal coherence, spectral-angular and polarization characteristics. We anticipate that the proposed theoretical framework will establish a robust foundation for interpreting measurements in stimulated x-ray emission spectroscopy, modeling x-ray laser oscillators, and describing other experiments leveraging x-ray superfluorescence.

quant-ph

Hermitian stochastic methodology for X-ray superfluorescence

A recently introduced theoretical framework for modeling the dynamics of X-ray amplified spontaneous emission is based on stochastic sampling of the density matrix of quantum emitters and the radiation field, similarly to other phase-space sampling techniques. While based on first principles and providing valuable theoretical insights, the original stochastic differential equations exhibit divergences and numerical instabilities. Here, we resolve this issue by accounting the stochastic components perturbatively. The refined formalism accurately reproduces the properties of spontaneous emission and proves universally applicable for describing all stages of collective X-ray emission in paraxial geometry, including spontaneous emission, amplified spontaneous emission, and the non-linear regime. Through numerical examples, we analyze key features of superfluorescence in one-dimensional approximation. Importantly, single realizations of the underlying stochastic equations can be fully interpreted as individual experimental observations of superfluorescence.

physics.optics

Stochastic modeling of superfluorescence in compact systems

We propose an approach based on stochastic differential equations to describe superfluorescence in compact ensembles of multi-level emitters in the presence of various incoherent processes. This approach has a numerical complexity that does not depend on the number of emitters. The stochastic differential equations are derived directly from the quantum master equation. In this study, we present a series of numerical examples, comparing our solution to exact calculations and discussing the limits of applicability. For many relevant cases, the proposed stochastic differential equations provide accurate results and correctly capture quantum many-body correlation effects.

quant-ph

Quantum stochastic trajectories for particles and fields based on positive P-representation

In this work we introduce a phase-space description based on the positive P representation for bosonic fields interacting with a system of quantum emitters. The formalism is applicable to collective light-matter interactions and open quantum systems with decoherence. Conservation of particle numbers is considered, and a Jordan-Schwinger transformation enables the representation of multi-level quantum emitters. The evolution of the phase-space description of the combined system of emitters and field is formulated in terms of stochastic trajectories and we derive the rules of mapping from traditional quantum mechanics to this stochastic formalism. The resulting equations of motion encode deterministic, classical evolution with quantum effects incorporated by stochastic noise terms. The framework's equations and properties are provided without specifying the Hamiltonian, aiming for broad applicability in diverse research domains. A potential future application is the quantum mechanical description of collective spontaneous emission of an incoherently pumped ensemble of atoms.

quant-ph

Self amplification of channeling radiation at Bragg diffraction conditions

X-ray radiation of relativistic electrons passing through the crystal lattice (in case of channeling radiation) requires electrons with energies just from tens up to hundreds MeV, but has a drawback: low number of emitted X-ray quanta. However, the brightness of such a source could be potentially increased if the current density of the electron bunch is high enough to initiate the self amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) process. The conditions at which this phenomenon could take place for the case of axial channeling are analyzed in the present paper within the first order perturbation theory. The transition from spontaneous to SASE regime is described, the requirements for bunch current parameters initiating SASE process are determined taking into account the periodic structure of the crystal medium. It is also shown that satisfying Bragg diffraction conditions could enhance self amplification. Numerical results for the case of axial channeling in Si, Ge and C crystals are presented as an example.

physics.acc-ph