Use of Crystals for High Energy Photon Beam Linear Polarization Conversion into Circular

TL;DR

This paper explores how crystals like diamond, silicon, and germanium can convert high-energy photon beam linear polarization into circular polarization by analyzing their optical properties and optimal configurations.

Contribution

It introduces a method to convert high-energy photon polarization using crystals and determines optimal crystal orientations and thicknesses for maximum efficiency.

Findings

Optimal crystal orientations and thicknesses identified

Degree of circular polarization estimated at hundreds of GeV

Feasibility of experimental implementation discussed

Abstract

The possibility to convert the photon beam linear polarization into circular one at photon energies of hundreds GeV with the use of crystals is considered. The energy and orientation dependencies of refractive indexes are investigated in case of diamond, silicon and germanium crystal targets. To maximize the values for figure of merit, the corresponding crystal optimal orientation angles and thickness are found. The degree of circular polarization and intensity of photon beam are estimated and possibility of experimental realization is discussed.