X-band photoinjector/high gradient accelerator based light source

A compact source of monochromatic ultrashort X-ray pulses tunable in the 10 to 85 keV range is obtained from Compton scattering of intense sub-picosecond optical pulses with relativistic electron bunches. Unlike conventional large National Laboratory scale synchrotron radiation sources, the relativistic Compton device utilizes compact vacuum components including a single X-band klystron, a 5.5 cell photoinjector, and a 1.05-meter, high-gradient linear accelerator. Optical radiation is generated by a tabletop synchronized titanium:sapphire femtosecond laser oscillator and amplifier system. Our source holds great potential as a compact probe of inner shell bound electrons in heavy atoms for medical diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as for studies of fundamental atomic-scale physics.