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Abstract

Until recently, advances in coherent quantum control have been restricted to the
optical and other low-frequency domains, because of the lack of coherent light
sources at higher photon energies. Now, coherent control has been demonstrated
in the hard X-ray region for the first time, using a target of Mössbauer nuclei to
convert a synchrotron pulse into a double pulse whose relative phase is tunable
by mechanical motion of the target. This control scheme has the necessary fewzeptosecond
phase stability. In this thesis, first, the data analysis procedure
underlying this phase stability result is investigated, to ensure it is not a limiting
factor in reaching the maximum possible phase stability. Second, a proof of
principle of arbitrary control of the relative double pulse phase is demonstrated
experimentally. This demonstration of arbitrary X-ray phase control enables more
general manipulation of nuclear quantum dynamics and opens the door to the
arbitrary shaping of X-ray pulses.