EPJD Topical Issue : Relativistic Electron Acceleration and Radiation

Details

Published on 19 August 2025

Guest Editors: Tong-Pu Yu, Pavel Karataev, Bai-Fei Shen, Alexander Potylitsyn

The European Physical Journal D (EPJD) invites original research contributions for a forthcoming Topical Issue dedicated to "Relativistic Electron Acceleration and Radiation". This collection aims to capture the forefront of research in the generation, control, and application of radiation produced by relativistic electron beams interacting with matter, fields, and structured media. The pursuit of advanced radiation sources, driven by breakthroughs in accelerator technology and theoretical understanding, continues to unlock new scientific horizons and transformative applications across physics, materials science, biology, and medicine, etc.

This Topical Issue will focus on the fundamental physical processes underpinning radiation emission from relativistic electrons and the advanced acceleration techniques enabling them. We seek to compile comprehensive coverage of both established and emerging paradigms, emphasizing novel mechanisms, enhanced source properties, and cutting-edge applications.

- List of topics covered:

Contributions are solicited addressing, but not limited to, the following core areas:

1. Fundamental Radiation Processes: Exploration of the general properties of radiation emitted by relativistic particles, including spectral-angular distributions, coherence effects, polarization, and radiation reaction. Investigations into specific mechanisms such as Transition Radiation (TR), Diffraction Radiation (DR), Cherenkov Radiation, and the Smith-Purcell Effect are particularly encouraged.

2. Parametric X-ray Radiation (PXR): Research on the generation, theory, and unique characteristics of PXR arising from the dynamic diffraction of virtual photons in crystals traversed by relativistic electrons.

3. Compton Scattering & Applications: Studies on inverse Compton scattering (ICS) processes, including nonlinear effects in intense laser fields, novel scattering geometries, and the development of compact, tunable X-ray and gamma-ray sources based on ICS for imaging, spectroscopy, and nuclear photonics.

4. Coherent Bremsstrahlung and Channeling Radiation: Investigations into the mechanisms and control of coherent bremsstrahlung emission and radiation generated by electrons undergoing channeling within crystalline structures.

5. Crystal-Assisted Processes: Research leveraging crystalline and periodically structured media to enhance or tailor radiation emission, including but not limited to channeling, volume reflection, and radiation generation in bent crystals and photonic structures.

6. Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration and Radiation Sources: Advances in generating relativistic electron beams and secondary radiation using high-power lasers, including laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA), direct laser acceleration (DLA), and betatron radiation. This encompasses novel acceleration schemes, beam quality improvements, and the development of compact, all-laser-driven radiation sources.

7. Applications of Advanced Radiation Sources: Reports on the development and utilization of monochromatic X-ray/gamma-ray sources and Terahertz (THz) beams produced by electron accelerators (both conventional and novel, like laser-plasma accelerators). Highlighted applications include high-resolution imaging (phase-contrast, tomography), material science studies (structural dynamics, defect analysis), nuclear resonance fluorescence, security screening, and fundamental physics experiments.

This Topical Issue will provide a platform for disseminating significant advances in theory, simulation, experiment, and technology development across this vibrant field. We welcome submissions presenting original research results, comprehensive reviews of specific sub-topics, and perspectives on future challenges and opportunities.

The full manuscripts should be submitted before the deadline directly to the EPJ D Editorial Office at https://www.editorialmanager.com/epjd/.

The contributions should be discussed during the symposium and submitted to this Topical issue. The submission will be open on October 30, 2025 to the participants of the 15th International symposium on Radiation from Relativistic Electrons in Periodic Structures (RREPS-2025) and to all the researchers who would like to join this project. Original research papers (Research Articles), Topical Reviews, and Colloquia are welcome. We invite contributors to communicate their intention to submit manuscripts for this Topical Issue to the Guest Editors as soon as possible. Please provide the tentative title of the paper and a short abstract.

Expected Publication: 30 June 2026. All submissions will undergo the journal's standard rigorous peer-review process. Manuscripts should be prepared according to the EPJ D guidelines and submitted via the online editorial manager system. Please select "Topical Issue: Relativistic Electron Acceleration and Radiation" during the submission process.

Papers will be published continuously and will appear as soon as accepted on the journal website. The electronic version of the Topical Issue will contain all accepted papers in the order of publication. All submitted papers will be refereed according to the usual high standards of the journal. More information about EPJ D, including instructions for authors is available here.

EPJ D is a hybrid journal offering Open Access publication. If the CORRESPONDING author is affiliated to an institute that has an Open Access agreement with Springer, the OA publication - if verified - is paid by the agreement partner. All OA agreements are listed with more details Here.. Eligibility will be automatically verified when the corresponding author is requested to complete the relevant affiliation information after acceptance of the paper during the production process. Corresponding authors not affiliated to institutes with Open Access Agreements are redirected to proceed with “Please select your publishing model” and have to decide between paying the current Open Access fee - for details see How to publish with us | The European Physical Journal D (springer.com) and Open Choice programme) - or choosing the subscription option without any publication charges.

Guest editors of the Topical issue :