High-flux X-ray photon emission by a superluminal hybrid electromagnetic mode of intense laser in a plasma waveguide

Wang, J and Zhu, B and Yu, T P and Zhao, Z Q and Sheng, Z M and Gu, Y Q (2019) High-flux X-ray photon emission by a superluminal hybrid electromagnetic mode of intense laser in a plasma waveguide. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, 61 (8). 085026. ISSN 0741-3335 (https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/ab27d4)

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Abstract

The feasibility of several novel ultrafast X-ray sources has been demonstrated through the interaction between laser and a micro-structured target. However, the resulting photon flux is still deficient for some applications. Here, we proposed a new method to yield high-flux synchrotron radiation by adopting compact hollow plasma waveguide. We verified the method theoretically and numerically. Linearly polarized laser pulses propagating in the waveguide are mainly converted into the electromagnetic mode HE11 with a superluminal phase speed of 1.02c when the pulse is coupled with the waveguide. The mode fields lead to a strong oscillating force and short oscillation period for energetic electrons, which are accelerated via the longitudinal acceleration mechanism. Then, the short X-ray beam is generated with high yield of 1011-1012. The corresponding photon flux reaches 3.5 × 1021 photons s-1 • 0.1% bandwidth. The high-flux source can be even used for single shot ultrafast imaging or the ultrafast X-ray diffraction and absorption studies.