Model-independent inference of laser intensity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model-independent method to determine laser intensity by analyzing the angular radiation profile of an ultrarelativistic electron beam, effective across various regimes and beam conditions.

Contribution

The authors present a novel technique that infers laser intensity from radiation profile variances, independent of electron dynamics models, applicable in classical and quantum regimes.

Findings

Accurately infers laser intensity within a few percent across three orders of magnitude.

Works regardless of radiation reaction significance or quantum effects.

Tolerant to broad electron beam energy spread and divergence.

Abstract

An ultrarelativistic electron beam passing through an intense laser pulse emits radiation around its direction of propagation into a characteristic angular profile. Here we show that measurement of the variances of this profile in the planes parallel and perpendicular to the laser polarization, and the mean initial and final energies of the electron beam, allows the intensity of the laser pulse to be inferred in way that is independent of the model of the electron dynamics. The method presented applies whether radiation reaction is important or not, and whether it is classical or quantum in nature, with accuracy of a few per cent across three orders of magnitude in intensity. It is tolerant of electron beams with broad energy spread and finite divergence. In laser-electron beam collision experiments, where spatiotemporal fluctuations cause alignment of the beams to vary from shot to shot, this permits inference of the laser intensity at the collision point, thereby facilitating comparisons between theoretical calculations and experimental data.