Positron source and method

A method for operating a positron source for generating a positron beam therefrom, wherein the positron source includes:

• a laser arrangement configured to generate a beam of photons;
• a target configured to receive the beam of photons;
• an electrode arrangement comprising one or more electrodes;
• wherein at least the target and the electrode arrangement are included within a vacuum chamber;
• wherein the method includes:
• configuring the vacuum chamber in use to provide a vacuum condition in which at least the target and the electrode arrangement are arranged to function;
• configuring the positron source for the photons of the beam to generate a photon plasma at a surface layer of the target, wherein the surface layer is configured to preferentially absorb electrons from the photon plasma to generate corresponding free positrons;
• and
• configuring the one or more electrodes to apply an electric field to the photon plasma to extract the free positrons therefrom and to guide the positrons to form the positron beam.

A method for operating a positron source to generate a positron beam, wherein the positron source includes an optical waveguide array device including a substrate, and at least one waveguide structure formed onto the substrate, wherein the method includes:

• (i) arranging for the at least one waveguide structure to be fabricated at least in part from a material that exhibits one or more non-linear optical effects when in use;
• (ii) optionally configuring an electrode arrangement to control the one or more non-linear optical effects and to extract at least one of accelerated electrons and positrons from the at least one waveguide structure;
• (iii) configuring the optical waveguide array device, when in use, to separate photons input on the at least one waveguide structure using the one or more non-linear optical effects into their respective electrons and positrons;
• and
• (iv) guiding the respective electrons and positrons into their respective regions of the at least one waveguide structure to cause a matter-antimatter dipole to be formed within the at least one waveguide structure waveguide structure for imparting energy to at least one of the electrons and the positrons to cause acceleration thereof, wherein the method further comprises extracting the positrons to form the positron beam.