Laser synchrotron femtosecond x-ray source for novel imaging

A description is given in this paper on the present progress of a compact laser synchrotron femtosecond x-ray source based on the inverse Compton scattering of high energy femtosecond laser pulses by high energy electrons. The present research program is reviewed by the target energy and number of the femtosecond x-ray photons for phase 1 (1996 - 2000) and phase II (2001 - 2004). Possible examples are considered for ultrafast imaging and pump- probe experiments by using this x-ray source.