Generation of Short Hard-X-Ray Pulses of Tailored Duration Using a Mössbauer Source

A tabletop source of hard x rays with controllable pulse duration would be interesting $e.g.$ for time-resolved nuclear scattering studies, or for using x rays as photonic information carriers, without the need for synchrotron facilities. The authors' analysis shows that, using an iron borate crystal illuminated by radioisotope emission, it should be possible to produce very short x-ray pulses, with duration determined solely by the magnetic switching time of the iron borate. The suggested technique could have real impact on the development of time-domain tabletop M\"ossbauer spectroscopy and x-ray quantum optics.