Nuclear excitation and control induced by intense vortex lasers
Phys. Rev. C 113, 044315 – Published 20 April, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/6m8k-9pcb
Abstract
The existing intense laser-based approaches for nuclear excitation offer ultrafast temporal resolution and high efficiency compared to traditional accelerator probes. However, controlling nuclear properties, such as spin and magnetic moment, remains an unprecedented challenge. Here, we put forward a novel method for nuclear excitation and control induced by intense vortex laser. We develop the calculation method incorporating the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of vortex laser within the nuclear hyperfine mixing framework. We find that intense vortex laser can effectively excite hydrogen-like thorium-229 nucleus and induce three-dimensional rotation of the nuclear magnetic moment. This rotation arises from the localized electromagnetic field reconfiguring the population dynamics, and can be reconstructed through radiation spectrum analysis. Moreover, the OAM of vortex laser enables the chaotic system to exhibit topologically protected periodic patterns in nuclear excitation and radiation, facilitating precise experimental measurements. Our findings underscore the potential of vortex laser for high-precision nuclear control and imaging, deepening our understanding of nuclear properties and hyperfine structures, and advancing quantum information and nuclear technologies.
