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Measurement of Scattering Nonlinearities from a Single Plasmonic Nanoparticle
Published on: January 3, 2016
Peak intensity measurement of relativistic lasers via nonlinear Thomson scattering
Omri Har-Shemesh1, Antonino Di Piazza
1Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
The measurement of peak laser intensities exceeding 10(20) W/cm(2) is in general a very challenging task. We suggest a simple method to accurately measure such high intensities up to about 10(23) W/cm(2), by colliding a beam of ultrarelativistic electrons with the laser pulse. The method exploits the high directionality of the radiation emitted by ultrarelativistic electrons via nonlinear Thomson scattering. Initial electron energies well within the reach of laser wake-field accelerators are required, allowing in principle for an all-optical setup. Accuracies of the order of 10% are theoretically envisaged.
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