Tunable, Short Pulse Hard X-Rays from a Compact Laser Synchrotron Source
Abstract
The development of a compact, tunable, near monochromatic hard x-ray source would have profound and wide ranging applications in a number of areas. These areas include xray diagnostics, medical imaging, microscopy, nuclear resonance absorption, solid-state physics and material sciences. The properties of the x-ray beam which are important for these applications include spectral width, spectral brightness, photon flux, pulse configuration and polarization. Presently, third generation synchrotron sources are being pursued which are based on high energy electron storage rings and undulator magnetic fields. In the following, a laser synchrotron source (LSS) is proposed in which the magnetic undulator is replaced by ultra-high intensity laser pulses, e.g., from a Nd:YAG/Nd:glass laser, and the electron storage ring is replaced by an electron beam of substantially lower energy, e.g., from an rf linac or a high current betatron. Recent advances in compact, short pulse, high intensity laser technology make the LSS a potentially attractive compact source, particularly at high x-ray energies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA254288
Entities
People
- Amnon Fisher
- Antonio Ting
- Eric Esarey
- Phillip A. Sprangle
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory