A laser pulse trapper for Compton backscattering applications

The repetition rate for high peak power, short pulse lasers used in Compton backscattering for production of X-rays, positrons and other reaction products is typically much lower than that for the electron bunches. The production rate can be increased by trapping a laser pulse in a delayed line for repeated collision with a plurality of electron pulses. The temporal and spatial characteristics of a trapped laser pulse are calculated including effects of dispersion, self phase modulation and self focusing through the delay line optics. For ultra short laser pulse, the DULY Box includes a pulse stretcher and a pulse compressor in order to minimize non-linear effects. Experiments are planned to verify and optimize the box design