Attosecond and zeptosecond x-ray pulses via nonlinear Thomson backscattering

Journal Article · Thu Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVE.72.0· OSTI ID:20778471

Pengfei, Lan; Peixiang, Lu; Wei, Cao; Xinlin, Wang ^[1]

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1. State Key Laboratory of Laser Technology and Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China)

Nonlinear Thomson backscattering of an intense circularly polarized laser by a counterpropagating energetic electron is investigated. The results show that in the scattering of a non-tightly-focused laser pulse with an intensity around 10{sup 19} W/cm{sup 2} and a pulse duration of 100 fs full width at half maximum by a counterpropagating electron with an initial energy of 10 MeV, a crescent-shaped pulse with a pulse duration of 469 as and the photon energy ranging from 230 eV to 2.5 keV is generated in the backward direction. It is shown that the radiated pulse shape and monochromaticity can be modified by changing the laser beam waist, while in the case of a tightly focused laser field, a single peak pulse with a shorter duration and better monochromaticity can be obtained. With increase of the electron initial energy, the peak power of the radiated pulse increases and the pulse duration decreases. An isolated powerful zeptosecond (10{sup -21} s) pulse with a peak power of about 10{sup 10} W/rad{sup 2} and photon energy up to several MeV can be obtained with a 250 MeV electron.

• OSTI ID: 20778471
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 72; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKSCATTERING
EV RANGE 100-1000
KEV RANGE 01-10
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
MEV RANGE 10-100
MEV RANGE 100-1000
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PEAK LOAD
PHOTONS
PULSE SHAPERS
PULSES
TAIL ELECTRONS
THOMSON SCATTERING
X RADIATION
X-RAY SOURCES