Stable and tunable MeV $$\gamma$$-ray generation via dual-laser inverse Thomson scattering from a laser-plasma accelerator
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Inverse Thomson scattering from laser-plasma accelerators offers a pathway to compact, tunable MeV γ-ray sources for reduced-dose radiography and enhanced performance in nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF)-based isotope identification. However, photon yield and spectral quality are often limited by constraints on interaction geometry and scatter-laser tunability. Here we demonstrate a MeV γ-ray source based on a dual-laser inverse Thomson scattering configuration driven by a 100-TW laser-plasma accelerator. Electron beams tunable from 122 to 204 MeV with [Formula: see text] mrad divergence and [Formula: see text] mrad pointing stability generate γ rays with peak energies from 276 keV to 1.2 MeV and yields up to [Formula: see text] photons per shot. By independently controlling the interaction position and the scatter-pulse duration, we experimentally match the scatter pulse to the walk-off-limited interaction length. Extending the scatter pulse to 200 fs increases photon production by approximately [Formula: see text] while maintaining operation in the linear Thomson regime, thereby preserving narrow spectral bandwidth and controlled radiation divergence. Radiographic characterization demonstrates MeV-level penetration and [Formula: see text] mm spatial resolution, while stable operation is sustained over multi-hour timescales across multiple days. These results show that interaction-length optimization provides a scalable strategy for improving photon yield, spectral control, and operational stability in compact laser-plasma-accelerator-driven γ-ray sources.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Hai-En Tsai, Tobias M. Ostermayr, Robert E. Jacob, Qiang Chen, Benjamin J. Greenwood, Robert Ettelbrick, Anthony J. Gonsalves, Kei Nakamura, Liona Fan-Chiang, Ocean Zhou, Sam K. Barber, Fumika Isono, Scott J. Thompson, James T. Johnson, Jay D. Hix, Edward Seabury, David L. Chichester, Carl B. Schroeder, Eric Esarey, Jeroen van Tilborg, Cameron G. R. Geddes
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Awards: G1071216263, G1286236842, G1863003419, G2900453181, G3083819904, G3769890331, G419881185, NUCLEAR SCIENCE & SECURITY CONSORTIUM (NNSC), G42916606, G4457930197, G4501827968, G498139845, G5013476584, NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING NONPROLIFERATION RESEARCH CONSORTIUM, G6585976086, G6652958823, G6722521933, G6878392787, From Phase Space Manipulation to First Light from a Laser Plasma Accelerator Powered Free Electron Laser, G759921648, G829502903, G969889393, G975773439
OpenAlex ID: W7164970347
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