Inverse Compton scattering with direct laser acceleration

We performed a numerical investigation of the emission characteristics of an X-ray source driven by direct laser acceleration of electrons interacting with an intense counter-propagating laser pulse. This source was created by irradiating a high atomic-number plasma plume target from both sides. Using 3D particle-in-cell simulations we assessed the spectral content, source size, angular divergence, and temporal profile of the emitted X-rays. With a total laser energy of 1.5 J, we recorded peak brightness of ∼ 10²² (s mrad²mm20.1%BW)⁻¹, of X-ray photons peaking at an energy of 25 keV. We discuss these findings and evaluate their potential applications in comparison to other laser-based X-ray generation techniques.