Design study of compact Laser-Electron X-ray Generator for material and life sciences applications

X-ray generators utilizing Thomson scattering fill in the gap that exists between conventional and synchrotron-based X-ray sources. They are expected to be more intensive than X-ray tubes and more compact, accessible and less expensive than synchrotrons. In this work, two operation modes of Thomson X-ray source (or laser-electron X-ray generator — LEXG) are documented: quasi continuous wave (QCW) and a pulsed one. They are considered for material sciences and medical applications that are currently implemented at Synchrotron Radiation (SR) facilities. The proposed system contains a ~ 50 MeV linac and a picosecond laser with an average power ~ few hundred Watts. The Thomson X-ray source is able to deliver up to 5 × 1011 photons in a millisecond flash and an average flux of 1012–1013 phot/sec. To achieve these parameters with existing optical and accelerator technology, the system must also contain a ring for storage of e-bunches for 103–105 revolutions and an optical circulator for storage of laser pulses for 102 passes. The XAFS spectroscopy, small animal angiography and human noninvasive coronary angiography are considered as possible applications of laser-electron X-ray generator.