High-Gain Thompson-Scattering X-Ray Free-Electron Laser by Time-Synchronic Laterally Tilted Optical Wave

SLAC researchers have discovered a novel approach to generating coherent x-rays with 10⁹ to 10¹⁰ photons and femtoseconds duration per laser pulse. This high intensity x-ray source is realized first by the pulse front tilt of a lateral fed laser to extend the electron-laser synchronic interaction time by several orders, which accomplishes the high-gain free-electron-laser-type exponential growth process and coherent emission with highly microbunched electron beam. Second, two methods are presented to enhance the effective optical undulator strength parameter - one is by invoking focusing lenses and the other is by inventing a periodic microstructure.

Figure 1. Time-synchronic interaction of electrons with pulse front titled lasers: (a) top view; (b) side view.