Boosted high harmonics pulse from a double-sided relativistic mirror

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to generate ultra-bright high-intensity X- and gamma-ray pulses using a double-sided relativistic mirror, leveraging plasma acceleration and the double Doppler effect to produce high harmonics.

Contribution

It introduces a new scheme for high harmonic generation via a relativistically moving plasma mirror driven by radiation pressure, enhancing radiation intensity and frequency.

Findings

Generation of relativistic harmonics upshifted by the double Doppler effect

Proposal of a plasma-based relativistic mirror for high-intensity radiation

Potential for ultra-bright X- and gamma-ray sources

Abstract

An ultra-bright high-intensity X- and gamma-radiation source is proposed. A high-density thin plasma slab, accelerating in the radiation pressure dominant regime by a co-propagating ultra-intense electromagnetic wave, reflects a counter-propagating relativistically strong electromagnetic wave, producing strongly time-compressed and intensified radiation due to the double Doppler effect. The reflected light contains relativistic harmonics generated at the plasma slab, all upshifted with the same factor as the fundamental mode of the incident light.