Accessing the fundamental link between atomic populations and frequency distribution of spectral lines of ions in dense plasmas

Dense plasmas enable to test our fundamental understanding of matter but a lack of data hindered searches of new physics in the past. A game changer is the new and unique Stanford-Linear-Accelerator-Center allowing X-ray line-shape-resolved resonance pumping via a combination of the self-seeded Linac-Coherent-Light-Source beam with an optical-laser produced dense plasma: Non-isolated atom models can now be benchmarked via the spectral distribution. High-precision spectroscopy reveals significant and simultaneous redistribution in population and frequency for transitions in He-like Vanadium. A critical principal quantum number is identified above which a strong intensity enhancement of higher lying Rydberg-lines appears although the corresponding ionic levels are not directly pumped. The Rydberg-lines themselves show significant distortions of their spectral distribution. We determine their frequency distributions with a precision of 0.2eV at 6.6keV and observe significant systematic deviations from available numerical methods. Our data question the current understanding how local thermodynamic equilibrium can be achieved. They also serve as a crucial benchmark for quantum theories in dense plasmas and may sparkle new theoretical developments, important for fundamental studies and applications in astrophysics and high-energy-density science. Dense plasmas offer insights into fundamental matter, but limited data have impeded new physics discoveries. Here, the authors utilize the Stanford-Linear Accelerator-Center’s advanced capabilities to achieve high-precision line shape resolved spectroscopy of He-like Vanadium, revealing significant deviations from existing models and challenging current understanding of how local thermodynamic equilibrium can be achieved, with implications for astrophysics and high-energy-density science.

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Publication Details

Journal
Communications Physics
Published
2026-08-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-026-02798-y
Primary Topic
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Accessing the fundamental link between atomic populations and frequency distribution of spectral lines of ions in dense plasmas

J. P. Marques, O. Renner, G. Dyer, S. H. Glenzer et al.
Communications Physics
Atomic and Molecular Physics
article

Accessing the fundamental link between atomic populations and frequency distribution of spectral lines of ions in dense plasmas

J. P. Marques, O. Renner, G. Dyer, S. H. Glenzer, Eric Galtier, Pavel Váchal, Dimitri Khaghani, Eric Cunningham, F. B. Rosmej, A. V. Demura, P. Indelicato, L. Gournay, Lisitsa V.S., F. P. Condamine, H.-J. Lee, M. Greenberg, B. Nagler, L. A. Vainshtein
article en

Abstract

Dense plasmas enable to test our fundamental understanding of matter but a lack of data hindered searches of new physics in the past. A game changer is the new and unique Stanford-Linear-Accelerator-Center allowing X-ray line-shape-resolved resonance pumping via a combination of the self-seeded Linac-Coherent-Light-Source beam with an optical-laser produced dense plasma: Non-isolated atom models can now be benchmarked via the spectral distribution. High-precision spectroscopy reveals significant and simultaneous redistribution in population and frequency for transitions in He-like Vanadium. A critical principal quantum number is identified above which a strong intensity enhancement of higher lying Rydberg-lines appears although the corresponding ionic levels are not directly pumped. The Rydberg-lines themselves show significant distortions of their spectral distribution. We determine their frequency distributions with a precision of 0.2eV at 6.6keV and observe significant systematic deviations from available numerical methods. Our data question the current understanding how local thermodynamic equilibrium can be achieved. They also serve as a crucial benchmark for quantum theories in dense plasmas and may sparkle new theoretical developments, important for fundamental studies and applications in astrophysics and high-energy-density science. Dense plasmas offer insights into fundamental matter, but limited data have impeded new physics discoveries. Here, the authors utilize the Stanford-Linear Accelerator-Center’s advanced capabilities to achieve high-precision line shape resolved spectroscopy of He-like Vanadium, revealing significant deviations from existing models and challenging current understanding of how local thermodynamic equilibrium can be achieved, with implications for astrophysics and high-energy-density science.

Communications Physics
P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), École Polytechnique (FR), Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (RU), Czech Academy of Sciences (CZ), Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (FR), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (FR), LIP - Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics (PT), Kurchatov Institute (RU), Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (FR), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (US), École Normale Supérieure - PSL (FR), Institut de Mathématiques de Jussieu-Paris Rive Gauche (FR), Sorbonne Université (FR), Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses (FR), Extreme Light Infrastructure Beamlines (CZ), Institut de Physique de Rennes (FR), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plasma Physics (CZ), Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SK), Czech Technical University in Prague (CZ), National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (RU)
U.S. Department of Energy, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Emberi Eroforrások Minisztériuma, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, ExtreMe Matter Institute, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung
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