Proposal for a Raman X-ray Free Electron Laser

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel scheme for an X-ray free electron laser utilizing a Raman process induced by intense laser interactions with relativistic electron bunches, potentially enabling new high-brightness X-ray sources.

Contribution

It introduces a new Raman-based mechanism for X-ray laser generation involving standing wave laser fields and relativistic electrons, with detailed operational parameters.

Findings

Demonstrates the feasibility of Raman scattering in high-intensity laser-electron interactions.

Shows how parametric amplification of Stokes photons can be achieved.

Discusses practical implementations using LINAC and Laser Wakefield Acceleration.

Abstract

A scheme for an X-ray free electron laser is proposed, based on a Raman process occurring during the interaction between a moderately relativistic bunch of free electrons, and twin intense short pulse lasers interfering to form a transverse standing wave along the electron trajectories. In the high intensity regime of the Kapitza-Dirac effect, the laser ponderomotive potential forces the electrons into a lateral oscillatory motion, resulting in a Raman scattering process. I show how a parametric process is triggered, resulting in the amplification of the Stokes component of the Raman-scattered photons. Experimental operating parameters and implementations, based both on LINAC and Laser Wakefield Acceleration techniques, are discussed.