Eur. Phys. J. D 59, 525-537 (2010)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2010-00185-5

Proposal for a Raman X-ray free electron laser

Université de Bordeaux 1, Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications (CELIA), CNRS, CEA, 351 Cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence Cedex, France

Corresponding author: ^a balcou@celia.u-bordeaux1.fr

Received: 29 May 2009
Revised: 15 April 2010
Published online: 16 July 2010

Abstract

A scheme for an X-ray free electron laser is proposed, based on a Raman process occurring during the interaction between a moderately relativistic bunch of free electrons, and twin intense short pulse lasers interfering to form a transverse standing wave along the electron trajectories. In the high intensity regime of the Kapitza-Dirac effect, the laser ponderomotive potential forces the electrons into a lateral oscillatory motion, resulting in a Raman scattering process. I show how a parametric process is triggered, resulting in the amplification of the Stokes component of the Raman-scattered photons. Experimental operating parameters and implementations, based both on LINAC and Laser Wakefield Acceleration techniques, are discussed.