Quantum-mechanical theory of enhanced resolution in Mössbauer spectroscopy using a resonant detector

Abstract

The quantum-mechanical theory for M\"ossbauer spectroscopy using a resonant detector, in which the conversion electrons are recorded, is presented. The resonant detector consists of nuclei having the same microscopic environment as the source nuclei. Fundamental equations, in the frequency domain, describing the system formed by a source nucleus, an ensemble of absorber nuclei, and a resonant detector nucleus are solved. The absorber is allowed to be of arbitrary thickness. The analysis includes the presence of conversion electrons and \ensuremath{\gamma} radiation. The full width at half maximum of a M\"ossbauer spectrum, using the resonant-detector scheme, is calculated and found to be appreciably smaller than the width found using a conventional M\"ossbauer setup.