Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
1998-10-19
Physics
Optics
including 4 figures
Scientific paper
10.1038/25303
A century ago, J. J. Thomson showed that the scattering of low-intensity light by electrons was a linear process (i.e., the scattered light frequency was identical to that of the incident light) and that light's magnetic field played no role. Today, with the recent invention of ultra-high-peak-power lasers it is now possible to create a sufficient photon density to study Thomson scattering in the relativistic regime. With increasing light intensity, electrons quiver during the scattering process with increasing velocity, approaching the speed of light when the laser intensity approaches 10^18 W/cm^2. In this limit, the effect of light's magnetic field on electron motion should become comparable to that of its electric field, and the electron mass should increase because of the relativistic correction. Consequently, electrons in such high fields are predicted to quiver nonlinearly, moving in figure-eight patterns, rather than in straight lines, and thus to radiate photons at harmonics of the frequency of the incident laser light, with each harmonic having its own unique angular distribution. In this letter, we report the first ever direct experimental confirmation of these predictions, a topic that has previously been referred to as nonlinear Thomson scattering. Extension of these results to coherent relativistic harmonic generation may eventually lead to novel table-top x-ray sources.
Chen Szu-yuan
Maksimchuk Anatoly
Umstadter Donald
No associations
LandOfFree
Experimental observation of nonlinear Thomson scattering does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Experimental observation of nonlinear Thomson scattering, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Experimental observation of nonlinear Thomson scattering will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-657027