Speaker: Prof. David E. Moncton, MIT

Title: A High-Brilliance Compact X-ray Source: A Small Revolution in X-ray Sources and Applications

Abstract: The process of inverse Compton scattering, in which an electron of 20-50 MeV backscatters an optical photon into the hard x-ray spectral range, offers the opportunity to produce high-brilliance hard x-ray beams with a laboratory-scale facility. Using a 2-meter superconducting linac and a 1-kW laser system, the time-average brilliance of such beams will be similar to 2 nd generation synchrotron facilities. Furthermore, two important characteristics will make these sources unique in comparison to both the best synchrotron sources available today, and the prospective storage-ring based compact sources currently under development. First, beam size can be below 10 microns, and second, the pulse length could be as short as 100 femto-seconds opening up applications difficult or impossible with even 3 rd generation sources. This talk will discuss the conceptual design of such a source and the scientific program it could support, including imaging and crystallography in both static and time-dependent modes. Also we will speculate on the possibility of achieving FEL gain in the ICS configuration.

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