Imaging of small-scale dynamic phenomena with a laser-wakefield acceleration driven x-ray source

POSTER

Abstract

Laser wakefield accelerators are a promising alternative for generation high-brightness and coherent x-rays at a fraction of the cost and facility size of conventional synchroton-like electron accelerators. The radiation source is mediated by the oscillatory motion of electrons inside the plasma wakefield, also known as betatron oscillations. Characteristics of the x-ray source include low beam divergence (few miliradians), ultrafast femtosecond pulse duration, and micrometer size resolution. These properties make a wakefield accelerator radiation source an excellent candidate for imaging of ultrafast events with high-temporal and high-spatial resolution. In this work we present imaging of small scale dynamic phenomena using a betatron x-ray source generated by the interaction of a high-intensity laser pulse with a gas cell. Some of the preliminary results of interest include properties of the betatron spectrum and imaging resolution.

Authors

  • M.D. Balcazar

    Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, University of Michigan

  • M.J.V. Streeter

    The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, Imperial College London

  • Rob Shalloo

    The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London

  • Jan-Niclas Grusse

    The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London

  • Zulfikar Najmudin

    The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London

  • S.P.D. Mangles

    The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, Imperial College London

  • Stephen Dann

    Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  • Dan Symes

    Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  • Chris Thornton

    Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  • Chris Murphy

    York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York

  • C.I.D. Underwood

    York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, University of York

  • C.D. Baird

    York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, University of York

  • C. Arran

    University of York, York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York

  • Matthew Selwood

    York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York

  • Andre Antoine

    Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan

  • J.A. Cardarelli

    Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, University of Michigan

  • Ashwin Shahani

    Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan

  • A.G.R. Thomas

    Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, Center of Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA, Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U. of Michigan

  • Ning Lu

    Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan

  • Steven Jamison

    The Cockcroft Institute