Development of laser based synchrotron X-ray source

By focusing an ultraintense laser onto a helium gaz jet, a collimated beam of ultrafast broadband X-ray radiation can now be generated. The X-ray radiation results from the betatron oscillations of relativistic electrons in the laser created plasma channel. Thus, just as in a synchrotron, the spectral and flux properties of the X-ray beam can be linked to the electron beam through the plasma wiggler strength. The radiation has been observed within 1-10 keV with filters and presents a divergence of as low as 20 mrad. In addition, this source possesses the unique properties to be ultrafast and perfectly synchronized with the laser system, which opens the way toward new types of pump probe experiments.