Publisher's Synopsis
X-rays and gamma rays are able to penetrate dense matter, offering the possibility to explore characteristics that otherwise would be not observable. They have a wide range of applications in research across different fields, such as medical research in high-resolution imaging and the radiation therapy of cancers, determining atmospheric conditions in environmental science, and understanding energy-exchange processes for cleaner energy technologies. Aimed at those entering the field for the first time, this first volume provides a background in classical electromagnetism and relativity to facilitate the understanding of Thompson and Compton particle scattering. The general scattering theories are presented, along with laser and electron beam transport and optics. The theoretical introduction is followed by an overview on the design elements of photon scattering sources and an outlook to future developments.
Key Features:
- Self-contained overview of pulsed X-rays sources based on compact lasers
- Detailed presentation of theory and applications targeted at newcomers to the field
- Thorough discussion on current performance limits
- Beyond the state of the art towards exotic configurations
- Can be used as a study manual for courses, or a reference text for researchers
