Fundamental physics and optical control with highly charged ions from the microwave to the x-ray range
Dr. Zoltán Harman (Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics)

Highly charged ions provide unique possibilities to explore fundamental phenomena in a broad range of photon frequencies. In the microwave regime, spin-flip transitions of single ions confined in Penning traps allow a test of bound-state quantum electrodynamics to an ultimate precision. Theoretical or experimental photon spectra of such ions in the optical and x-ray range are important constituents for astrophysical models and allow the line diagnostics of e.g. stellar coronae and accretion discs of black holes. To further improve the versatility of spectroscopic methods used in such studies, we put forward a theoretical pulse shaping scheme for imprinting an optical frequency comb onto the fluorescent radiation emitted on an ionic high-energy transition. By doing so, frequency combs applicable in a broad range of frequencies up to the x-ray regime may be produced.