Ultrafast multi-MeV gamma-ray beam produced by laser-accelerated electrons

Abstract

Ultrafast multi-MeV high-flux gamma-ray beams have been experimentally produced via bremsstrahlung radiation of laser-accelerated energetic electrons through millimeter-thick copper targets. By optimizing the electron bunches to the charge of 10 nC in a clustering argon gas target, the obtained gamma-ray beam significantly increases to 1010 photons per shot. The gamma-ray beam spectrum has been measured using a differential filtering detector and has a broad spectrum up to 15 MeV, which is approximately consistent with the Geant4 simulation. The generated high-flux high-energy gamma-ray beams are promising sources for photonuclear reaction, non-destructive inspection and clinical applications.