Photon-photon colliders

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:1177683

Sessler, Andrew M.

Since the seminal work by Ginsburg, et al., the subject of giving the Next Linear Collider photon-photon capability, as well as electron-positron capability, has drawn much attention [1]. A 1990 article by V.I. Telnov describes the situation at that time [2]. In March 1994, the first workshop on this subject was held [3]. This report briefly reviews the physics that can be achieved through the photon-photon channel and then focuses on the means of achieving such a collider. Also reviewed is the spectrum of backscattered Compton photons—the best way of obtaining photons. We emphasize the spectrum actually obtained in a collider with both polarized electrons and photons (peaked at high energy and very different from a Compton spectrum). Luminosity is estimated for the presently considered colliders, and interaction and conversion-point geometries are described. Also specified are laser requirements (such as wavelength, peak power, and average power) and the lasers that might be employed. These include conventional and free-electron lasers. Finally, we describe the R&D necessary to make either of these approaches viable and explore the use of the SLC as a test bed for a photon-photon collider of very high energy.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of High Energy and Nuclear Physics
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 1177683
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English