Compact, Tunable Short-Pulse Laser Synchrotron Source

A theoretical program is proposed to design a compact laser synchrotron source (LSS) of tunable, narrow bandwidth, variable polarization, short pulses of collimated x-rays. The x-rays are generated by Compton backscattering of intense laser radiation off of a counter-streaming beam of electrons. The tasks involve the design of the optical cavity for the laser beam, design of the electron beam optics and the characterization of the x-ray beam, including realistic electron beam and laser beam effects. The spectral and angular distribution of the x-rays will be determined numerically. The Phase I program is specifically aimed at designing a prototype LSS using the laser beam and electron beam available at the Naval Research Laboratory.