Development of a Watt-level Gamma-Ray Source based on High-Repetition-Rate Inverse Compton Scattering

TL;DR

This paper discusses the design and expected performance of a high-repetition-rate gamma-ray source at Fermilab, utilizing inverse Compton scattering with a superconducting linac and high-intensity laser pulses to achieve high brilliance at MeV energies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel high-repetition-rate gamma-ray source design based on inverse Compton scattering with detailed technical considerations and performance expectations.

Findings

Design rationale for the gamma-ray source

Technical challenges in high-repetition-rate collisions

Projected gamma-ray flux and energy performance

Abstract

A high-brilliance ($\sim10^{24}$~photon.s$^{-1}$.mm$^{-2}$.mrd$^{-2}$/0.1\%) gamma-ray source experiment is currently being planned at Fermilab ($E_\gamma\simeq 1.1$~MeV)~[1]. The source implements a high-repetition-rate inverse Compton scattering by colliding electron bunches formed in a 300-MeV superconducting linac with a high-intensity laser pulse. This paper describes the design rationale along with some of technical challenges associated to producing high-repetition-rate collision. The expected performances of the gamma-ray source are also presented.