Sub-10-micron resolution, hard x-ray imaging using a novel distributed charge Compton source

Distributed charge Compton sources (DCCS) produce x-rays via the interactions of trains of high brightness electron bunches with trains of short duration laser pulses and are capable of producing beams of ultra-bright, tunable, hard x-rays that are ideal for clinical and industrial precision imaging applications. This presentation will review the motivation, design, construction, and performance of a novel DCCS in Irvine, California. This system has produced record x-ray flux at above 100 keV, record x-ray image resolution at above 100 keV, record x-ray bandwidth from a Compton source, and has demonstrated rapid, precision tuning and element-specific imaging. Initial imaging campaigns, detector design and construction, and related applications will be reviewed.