Improving inverse Compton by removing non-linearities

Abstract

We present a new, more nuanced understanding of non-linear effects in inverse Compton sources. Contrary to what has been heretofore understood, deleterious non-linear effects can arise even at low laser intensities, a regime previously viewed as linear. After laying out a comprehensive survey of all non-linear phenomena which degrade the effectiveness of inverse Compton sources, we discuss two powerful techniques designed to remove these non-linearities. Starting with the known technique of longitudinal chirping of the laser pulse, which we developed earlier to mitigate adverse non-linear effects in the high laser field regime, we have discovered that the simple stretching of the laser pulse, while keeping the energy constant, can significantly increase the spectral density of the scattered radiation in many operating regimes. Our numerical simulations show that combining these two techniques removes detrimental non-linearities and improves the performance of inverse Compton sources over an order of magnitude.

arXiv comment5 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (8)

• All-optical Compton gamma-ray source
• Beam-Shape Effects in Nonlinear Compton and Thomson Scattering
• Spectral Bandwidth Reduction of Thomson Scattered Light by Pulse Chirping
• Narrowband inverse Compton scattering x-ray sources at high laser intensities
• Narrowband Emission in Thomson Sources Operating in the High-Field Regime
• Laser Pulsing in Linear Compton Scattering
• Single shot, double differential spectral measurements of inverse Compton scattering in linear and nonlinear regimes
• Improving performance of inverse Compton sources through laser chirping