All-Optical X-Ray and γ-Ray Sources from Ultraintense Laser-Matter Interactions, in “Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration Towards Radiobiology and Medicine”

Leonida Antonio Gizzi

Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering

ISBN 978-3-319-31561-4; ISBN 978-3-319-31563-8 (eBook)

(183-201)

Abstract

With the dramatic recent development of ultraintense lasers, a new perspective for compact, all-laser driven X-ray and γ-ray sources is emerging, aiming at a brightness currently achievable only with state of the art free electron lasers and Thomson scattering Sources based on large linear accelerators. In contrast with existing sources, all-optical sources exploit laser-plasma interaction to obtain the required high energy electrons to generate radiation. Bremsstrahlung or fluorescence emission driven from fast electron generation in laser interaction with solids was demonstrated to provide effective ultrashort X-ray emission with unique properties. More recently, laser-driven electron acceleration from interaction with gas-targets is being considered in place of conventional radio-frequency electron accelerators for a variety of radiation emission mechanisms. Broadband radiation generation schemes including betatron and Bremsstrahlung are being developed while free electron laser and Thomson scattering by collision with a synchronized laser pulse are being proposed for the generation of narrow band radiation. Here we present an overview of the current developments in this field.