Generation and Application of Laser-Compton Scattering from Intermediate Energy Electron Beams

Dr. Khalid Chouffani
Idaho Accelerator Center

Laser-Compton scattering (LCS) experiments were carried out at the Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC) using the 5 ns (FWHM) and 5-25 MeV electron beam. X-rays resulting from the approximate 180o collision of relativistic electrons with a 100 MW peak power Nd:YAG laser fundamental and second harmonic lines were generated. LCS X-rays were used to measure the X-ray transmission in aluminum foils of different thicknesses. LCS X-ray peak widths (FWHM) were measured as a function of the electron beam energy-spread. LCS spatial scans across the x-ray cone were also carried out using X-ray generated from the electron beam interaction with the laser second harmonic line. LCS angular measurements enabled us to determine several electron beam parameters in a single experiment.  Experimental data show that in addition to being viewed as a bright, tunable and quasi-monochromatic X-ray source, LCS can provide important information on electron beam pulse length, direction, energy, angular and energy spread measurement. Since the quality of LCS X-ray peaks, such as degree of monochromaticity, peak energy and flux, depends strongly on the electron beam parameters, LCS can therefore be viewed as an important non-destructive tool for electron beam diagnostics.