Method and apparatus for producing high-intensity X-rays or .gamma.-rays
AssigneeInstitute for Laser Technology
InventorKazuo Imasaki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for producing high-intensity X-rays or .gamma.-rays by accumulating a laser beam in an optical resonator having ultra-high reflectivity mirrors. With this arrangement, it is possible to produce powerful X-rays or .gamma.-rays even if the laser beam used is not powerful enough. A laser beam from a laser is injected into an optical resonator and accumulated therein. The optical resonator has an opposed pair of mirrors having a reflectivity of more than 0.999%. An electron beam may be introduced obliquely into the optical resonator and collided against the laser beam. In the interaction area thus created, X-rays or .gamma.-rays are produced due to the Compton scattering and propagated out of the optical resonator.
Claims16
A method of producing high-intensity X-rays or .gamma.-rays, comprising the steps of introducing a laser beam into a photon accumulating cavity from a laser source located outside said cavity, wherein said cavity has two mirrors having an ultra-high reflectivity and being arranged opposite to each other to accumulate the laser beam in said cavity, and introducing an electron beam accelerated to a relativistic speed into the optical path of the laser beam reciprocating between said mirrors so as to cross said optical path, thereby producing X-rays or .gamma.-rays from the interaction area between the electron beam and the laser beam.
An apparatus for generating high-intensity X-rays or .gamma.-rays, comprising a laser generator for generating a laser beam, a photon accumulating cavity means for accumulating the laser beam therein, a pair of mirrors oppositely arranged and having an ultra-high reflectivity, an accelerator for accelerating an electron beam to a relativistic speed, and means for adjusting the distance between said reflecting mirrors, said cavity means having an inlet path for introducing the electron beam into the optical path of the laser beam reciprocating between said reflecting mirrors to smash the electron beam against the laser beam, and an outlet path for guiding the electron beam out of said cavity means together with X-rays or .gamma.-rays produced by interaction between the electron beam and the laser beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.