Stable femtosecond X-rays with tunable polarization from a laser-driven accelerator

Light, Science & Applications
A DöppK Ta Phuoc

Abstract

Technology based on high-peak-power lasers has the potential to provide compact and intense radiation sources for a wide range of innovative applications. In particular, electrons that are accelerated in the wakefield of an intense laser pulse oscillate around the propagation axis and emit X-rays. This betatron source, which essentially reproduces the principle of a synchrotron at the millimeter scale, provides bright radiation with femtosecond duration and high spatial coherence. However, despite its unique features, the usability of the betatron source has been constrained by its poor control and stability. In this article, we demonstrate the reliable production of X-ray beams with tunable polarization. Using ionization-induced injection in a gas mixture, the orbits of the relativistic electrons emitting the radiation are reproducible and controlled. We observe that both the signal and beam profile fluctuations are significantly reduced and that the beam pointing varies by less than a tenth of the beam divergence. The polarization ratio reaches 80%, and the polarization axis can easily be rotated. We anticipate a broad impact of the source, as its unprecedented performance opens the way for new applications.

References

Nov 5, 2004·Physical Review Letters·Antoine RousseDaniéle Hulin
May 23, 2006·Physical Review Letters·W LuT Katsouleas
Dec 13, 2006·Physical Review Letters·Kim Ta PhuocAntoine Rousse
Apr 7, 2010·Physical Review Letters·C McGuffeyA V Karpeev
Dec 21, 2011·Physical Review Letters·S CordeV Malka
Sep 13, 2013·Nature Communications·Michael SchnellChristian Spielmann
Oct 15, 2013·Physical Review Letters·C ThauryV Malka

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Citations

Jun 25, 2019·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·A Martinez de la OssaU Schramm
Mar 15, 2020·Physical Review. E·H DingS Karsch
Apr 8, 2018·Nature Communications·T AndréM-E Couprie
Sep 1, 2018·Physical Review Letters·A DöppV Malka
Dec 18, 2020·Physical Review. E·Zs LéczN Hafz

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray

Software Mentioned

CALDER
PIC
- CIRC

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