Hard x-rays and high-energy electrons from a laser plasma accelerator

Summary form only given. Using a 250 TW laser pulse from the Astra Gemini Laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory we demonstrate the production of high-energy (> 1 GeV) electron beams and bright, hard x-rays (10–100 keV) using a self-injecting, selfguiding laser wakefield accelerator. Analysis of the three dimensional momentum trajectory of the electron beam provides insight into the x-ray generation mechanism. These bright, femtosecond duration flashes of x-ray light could be useful for a wide range of applications.