Laser-plasma-based radiation sources with intense laser pulses

Abstract

Laser–plasma interactions with ultra-intense lasers yield a variety of particle and radiation sources. Compared to synchrotron facilities, which provide short-wavelength, high-brilliance sources, laser–plasma sources offer a compact and cost-effective alternative. These sources can produce electromagnetic radiation spanning from radio frequencies to gamma-rays. In this review, we explore diverse schemes of laser–plasma-based radiations, including Bremsstrahlung, characteristic X-rays, X-ray lasers, high-order harmonic generation, betatron radiation, inverse Compton scattering, laser–plasma THz sources, and other recently developed radiation sources based on laser–plasma interactions. The versatility of radiation sources from laser–plasma interactions makes them valuable for applications in fields such as biomedical science, material science, nuclear physics, non-destructive inspection technologies, and semiconductor technologies. © Division of Plasma Physics, Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies 2025.