Ultrahigh Brilliance Multi-MeV γ-Ray Beams from Nonlinear Relativistic Thomson Scattering

G. Sarri*, D. J. Corvan, W. Schumaker, J. M. Cole, A. Di Piazza, H. Ahmed, C. Harvey, C. H. Keitel, K. Krushelnick, S. P. D. Mangles, Z. Najmudin, D. Symes, A. G. R Thomas, M. Yeung, Z. Zhao, M. Zepf

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

274 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report on the generation of a narrow divergence (θγ<2.5mrad), multi-MeV (Emax≈18MeV) and ultrahigh peak brilliance (>1.8×1020photonss-1mm-2mrad-2 0.1% BW) γ-ray beam from the scattering of an ultrarelativistic laser-wakefield accelerated electron beam in the field of a relativistically intense laser (dimensionless amplitude a0≈2). The spectrum of the generated γ-ray beam is measured, with MeV resolution, seamlessly from 6 to 18 MeV, giving clear evidence of the onset of nonlinear relativistic Thomson scattering. To the best of our knowledge, this photon source has the highest peak brilliance in the multi-MeV regime ever reported in the literature.

Original languageEnglish
Article number224801
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume113
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Nov 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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