Generating Ionizing Radiation Using Laser Light

Abstract

In a general aspect, ionizing radiation is generated using laser light. In some aspects, an apparatus for generating ionizing radiation includes a laser configured to generate a pulse of laser light and a gas medium that has an interaction region therein. The apparatus also includes an optical element that has a reflective surface. The reflective surface defines a focal point in the interaction region of the gas medium. The reflective surface is configured to receive the pulse of laser light and focus the pulse of laser light at the focal point. In many variations, the pulse of laser light is configured to generate a plasma in the interaction region when focused at the focal point by the reflective surface. In these variations, the gas medium is configured to emit an ionizing radiation from the interaction region in response to the plasma being generated therein. The ionizing radiation includes electron radiation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.