Gamma ray sources using imperfect relativistic mirrors

Journal Article · Sat Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3001690· OSTI ID:21259679

Mendonca, J T ^[1]; Serbeto, A ^[2]

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1. GoLP and CFIF, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa (Portugal)
2. Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24210-340 Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

The collective backscattering of intense laser radiation by energetic electron beams is considered. Exact solutions for the radiation field are obtained, for arbitrary electron pulse shapes and laser intensities. The electron beams act as imperfect nonlinear mirrors on the incident laser radiation. This collective backscattering process can lead to the development of new sources of ultrashort pulse radiation in the gamma-ray domain. Numerical examples show that, for plausible experimental conditions, intense pulses of gamma rays, due to the double Doppler shift of the harmonics of the incident laser radiation, can be produced using the available technology, with durations less than one attosecond.

• OSTI ID: 21259679
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 15, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3001690; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
BACKSCATTERING
DOPPLER EFFECT
ELECTRON BEAMS
EXACT SOLUTIONS
GAMMA SOURCES
LASER RADIATION
MIRRORS
PULSE SHAPERS
TAIL ELECTRONS