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Nonlinear absorption of an X-ray pulse during the formation of warm dense matter

A bright, ultrashort X-ray pulse is used to transiently create and characterize warm dense copper. As the pulse intensity is increased, the opacity of copper is strongly altered. The recorded X-ray absorption spectra, substantiated by a theoretical electronic structure model, provide insight into the non-equilibrium electron dynamics during the formation of warm dense matter.

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Fig. 1: Transient absorption and transmission of an intense XFEL pulse through a 100-nm-thick copper foil.

References

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This is a summary of: Mercadier, L. et al. Transient absorption of warm dense matter created by an X-ray free-electron laser. Nat. Phys. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-024-02587-w (2024).

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Nonlinear absorption of an X-ray pulse during the formation of warm dense matter. Nat. Phys. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-024-02594-x

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