Experimental observation of polarization-resolved nonlinear Thomson scattering of elliptically polarized light

Authors

Colton Fruhling, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Junzhi Wang, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Donald Umstadter, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Christoph Schulzke, Brigham Young University - Provo
Mahonri Romero, Brigham Young University - Provo
Michael Ware, Brigham Young University - Provo
Justin Peatross, Brigham Young University - Provo

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

11-17-2021

Citation

COLTON FRUHLING et al. PHYSICAL REVIEW A 104, 053519 (2021). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.104.053519

Comments

Used by permission.

Abstract

We report experimental results from a study of nonlinear Thomson scattering of elliptically polarized light. Polarization-resolved radiation patterns of the scattered light are measured as a function of the elliptical polarization state of the incident laser light. The relativistic electron trajectory in intense elliptically polarized fields leads to the formation of unique radiated polarization states, which are observed by our measurements and predicted by a theoretical model. The polarization of Thomson scattered light depends strongly on the intensity of the incident light due to nonlinearity. The results are relevant to high-field electrodynamics and to research and development of light sources with novel capabilities.