Description
X-ray radiation is a fundamental diagnostic and imaging tool across science and technology. Traditionally, high brightness x-ray beams are generated using large scale facilities such as synchrotrons and free electron lasers. In recent years, however, plasma based accelerators have emerged as a transformative alternative, offering the capability to produce energetic electron beams and intense x ray emission within a compact footprint [1]. The oscillatory motion of relativistic electrons inside the plasma wake produces betatron radiation, a broadband spectrum that extends into the keV range [2]. A variety of techniques have been explored to enhance both the brightness and photon energy of this emission, including controlled off axis injection [3], and operation at higher plasma densities [4]. In this work, we conduct particle-in-cell simulations to investigate how tailored plasma density profiles can manipulate electron dynamics and thereby improve betatron x-ray performance. We aim to identify plasma profiles that yield brighter, high energy x-ray radiation.
[1] F. Albert et al, New. J. Phys. 23 031101 (2021)
[2] E. Esarey et al, Phys. Rev. E 65, 056505 (2002)
[3] G. Zhang et al, Optics Express 28, 29927 (2020)
[4] H. Saberi et al, Phys. Plasmas 31, 093104 (2024)