X-ray fluorescence spectrum of highly charged Fe ions driven by strong free-electron-laser fields

The influence of nonlinear dynamical effects is analyzed on the observed spectra of controversial 3C and 3D astrophysically relevant x-ray lines in neonlike Fe{}¹⁶⁺ and the A, B, and C lines in natriumlike Fe{}¹⁵⁺ ions. First, a large-scale configuration-interaction calculation of oscillator strengths is performed with the inclusion of higher-order electron-correlation effects. Also, quantum-electrodynamic corrections to the transition energies are calculated. Further considered dynamical effects provide a possible resolution of the discrepancy between theory and experiment found by recent x-ray free-electron-laser measurements of these controversial lines. We find that, for strong x-ray sources, the modeling of the spectral lines by a peak with an area proportional to the oscillator strength is not sufficient and nonlinear dynamical effects have to be taken into account. Thus, we advocate the use of light-matter-interaction models also valid for strong light fields in the analysis and interpretation of the associated astrophysical and laboratory spectra. We investigate line-strength ratios distinguishing between the coherent and incoherent parts of the emission spectrum. In addition, the spectrum of Fe{}¹⁵⁺, an autoionizing ion which was also present in the recent laboratory experiment, is analyzed as well.