First production of X-rays at the ThomX high-intensity Compton source

International audienceWith the increase in laser power and finesse of optical cavities over the last decade, laboratory-size Compton sources are very promising. These sources produce X-rays through interactions between relativistic electrons and laser photons and, in term of brightness, fall between large synchrotron facilities and classical laboratory X-ray sources. The ThomX source is the French project in this field. This article first presents a state of the art of high-intensity Compton sources, then the ThomX source is briefly described, and the first results are detailed, in particular the production of the first X-rays, the acquisition of the first spectrum and the first image of the beam. Finally, the next objectives are discussed

The ThomX ICS source

International audienceThomX is a new generation Compact Compton Source. It is currently commissioned by and at the IJCLab (Laboratoire de physique des 2 infinis - Irène Joliot-Curie (UMR9012)) at Orsay. The first beam is expected at the begining of 2021. The aim of ThomX is to demonstrate the characteristics of an intense and Compact (lab-size) X-ray source based on Compton Scattering. The performances are mostly driven by the laser optical system which is above the state of the art of stored laser power. Proof of principle of various X-ray techniques will be performed thanks to the versatile ThomX beamline. Firstly, this article presents the machine description. Secondly, the issues and limits of the laser system are discussed. Then, the ThomX beamline is described and the machine status conclude the ThomX presentation. Finally, the expected performances for the next years and the possible experiments that can be made with this new machine are detailed