Single-atom response of helium atoms to pulses from an EUV free-electron laser: Implications for the subsequent development of superfluorescence

Using multilevel (161-level) numerical simulations beyond the rotating-wave approximation, we investigate the single-atom response of helium to intense pulses of radiation with properties characteristic of a self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) free-electron laser (FEL) source, and central wavelengths resonant with $1snp$ excitation ($n=3$,4). The results show a complete breakdown of the two-level approximation and suggest that, under typical experimental conditions, levels other than the resonant level are significantly populated. We discuss the implications for the subsequent development of superfluorescence (a collective effect) from the excited atomic medium and compare the results to recent experiments.