An ultracompact X-ray source based on a laser-plasma undulator.

Area of Science:

• Plasma physics
• Laser-plasma interactions
• Nanoengineering
• X-ray generation

Background:

• Plasmas sustain ultrahigh electric fields, driving advancements in laser-plasma engineering.
• Current applications include relativistic electron acceleration and intense laser pulse manipulation.
• There is a growing need for compact, efficient radiation sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate an ultracompact plasma undulator.
• To integrate plasma technology with nanoengineering for novel radiation sources.
• To create a millimetre-sized synchrotron radiation source of X-rays.

Main Methods:

• Developed a plasma undulator comprising an array of nanowires.
• Ionized the nanowires using a laser pulse from a laser-plasma accelerator.
• Utilized the charge-separation fields around the ionized nanowires to wiggle laser-accelerated electrons.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the production of bright, collimated photon beams.
• Achieved tunable photon energies in the 10-100 keV range.
• The combined system functions as a millimetre-sized synchrotron radiation source.

Conclusions:

• The proposed ultracompact plasma undulator is a viable technology.
• This system enables the generation of high-energy X-rays using nanostructured plasmas.
• Opens a pathway for a new generation of compact synchrotron sources.