Method and apparatus for synchronizing charged particle pulses with light pulses

A time synchronization device, comprising:

• a detector configured to measure a position where an x-ray pulse produced by a charged particle beam impinges on the detector;
• a camera configured to produce an image of the position on the detector where the x-ray pulse impinges;
• and
• a computer system including one or more processors and memory storing instructions for converting the position on the detector to a measurement of a timing synchronization between the charged particle beam and a light beam.

A method, comprising:

• determining a timing synchronization between an electron pulse and a light pulse;
• generating an x-ray pulse by colliding the light pulse with the electron pulse at a first location;
• measuring a position on a detector where the x-ray pulse impinges;
• and
• calculating the timing synchronization based on the position and a distance between the detector and the first location.