Laser wakefield acceleration: Application to Betatron X-ray radiation production and X-ray imaging

  • S. Fourmaux
  • , S. Corde
  • , K. Ta Phuoc
  • , P. Lassonde
  • , S. Payeur
  • , S. Gnedyuk
  • , F. Martin
  • , V. Malka
  • , A. Rousse
  • , J. C. Kieffer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

High intensity femtosecond laser pulses can be used to generate X-ray radiation. In the laser wakefield process, when a high intensity laser pulse (>1018 W/cm2) is focused onto a gas jet target, it interacts with the instantaneously created under-dense plasma and excites a wakefield wave. In the wakefield electrons are trapped and accelerated to high energies in short distances. The electrons trapped in the wakefield can perform Betatron oscillations across the propagation axis and emit X-ray photons. The Betatron X-ray beam is broadband as the radiation emission has a synchrotron distribution. The X-ray beam is collimated and its pulse duration is femtosecond. For high resolution and phase contrast X-ray imaging applications, the important feature of the X-ray Betatron beam is the μm source size. Using ALLS 100 TW class laser system we demonstrate that the Betatron X-ray beam is both energetic and bright enough to produce single laser shot phase contrast imaging of complex objects located in air.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPhotonics North 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2012
EventPhotonics North 2012 - Montreal, QC, Canada
Duration: 6 Jun 20128 Jun 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8412
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferencePhotonics North 2012
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal, QC
Period6/06/128/06/12

Keywords

  • Betatron X-ray radiation
  • High intensity laser pulse
  • Laser based X-ray source
  • Laser wakefield acceleration
  • Phase contrast X-ray imaging
  • Ultrafast laser system

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