PUMPING REQUIREMENTS FOR ACHIEVING NUCLEAR SUPERFLUORESCENCE

In this paper, we examined the feasibility of nuclear superfluorescenc e (SF). Minimum requirements on the pumping power to obtain inversion and produce measurable SF pulses are calculated for two candidate nucl ei using a Maxwell-Bloch model of SE This model allows us to study the dynamics of pumping and SF emission and includes electronic attenuati on, competing transitions, homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening, a nd finite pumping times. In the direct emission approach, using Co-60 prepared in the isomeric level by thermal neutrons, close to ideal con ditions for the emitter and thermal neutron fluxes of 10(17) - 10(18) cm(-2) s(-1) for the pumping would be required to produce SE The up-co nversion approach assumes an intermediate level that could serve as a channel for pumping with electromagnetic radiation from the isomeric l evel in Sn-119 to the Mossbauer lasing level. These pumping requiremen ts were found to be even more difficult to attain. With pumping radiat ion in the range of 1 - 10 keV, 10(10) - 10(12) W/cm(2) were required to achieve SE