New coherent X-ray source based on relativistic high harmonic generation in gas jet targets

Pirozhkov, A. S.; Kando, Masaki; Esirkepov, T. Z.; Gallegos, P.*; Ahmed, H.*; Ragozin, E. N.*; Faenov, A. Ya.*; Pikuz, T. A.*; Kawachi, Tetsuya; Sagisaka, Akito; et al.

no journal, , 

We experimentally demonstrate new regime of high-order harmonic generation by relativistic-irradiance lasers in gas jet targets. With 9 TW laser, the harmonics reach the "water window" spectral region. Using 120 TW laser, we demonstrate the photon number scalability, with the energy of 40 J/sr per harmonic at 120 eV. We introduce a new mechanism of high-order harmonic generation based on the relativistic plasma phenomena and catastrophe theory. The mechanism is illustrated with high-resolution 2D and 3D PIC simulations. We discuss the potential applicability of the new coherent X-ray source for bioimaging.