Electron-beam-based Compton scattering x-ray source for probing high-energy-density physics

The physics basis for an electron-beam-based Compton scattering x-ray source is investigated for single-shot experiments at the major high-energy-density facilities, such as the Omega Laser Facility, National Ignition Facility, and <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><a:mrow><a:mi>Z</a:mi></a:mrow></a:math> pulsed power facility. A source of monoenergetic (<c:math xmlns:c="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><c:mrow><c:mi>δ</c:mi><c:mi>ε</c:mi><c:mo>/</c:mo><c:mi>ε</c:mi><c:mo><</c:mo><c:mn>5</c:mn><c:mo>%</c:mo></c:mrow></c:math>) 10- to 50-keV x rays can be produced by scattering of a short-pulse optical laser by a 23- to 53-MeV electron beam and collimating the scattered photons. The number and spectrum of scattered photons are calculated as a function of electron packet charge, electron and laser pulse duration, laser intensity, and collision geometry. A source delivering greater than <e:math xmlns:e="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><e:mrow><e:msup><e:mrow><e:mn>10</e:mn></e:mrow><e:mrow><e:mn>10</e:mn></e:mrow></e:msup></e:mrow></e:math> photons in a 1-mm-radius spot and 100-ps time resolution is plausible with the available electron gun and laser technology. Applications of this source for x-ray diffraction, x-ray imaging, x-ray absorption fine structure, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy in high-energy-density physics experiments are described, demonstrating significant advancements compared to the present state of the art. Published by the American Physical Society 2024