Researchers from the Institute of Modern Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have made a significant stride in the field of high-energy physics with their novel method for generating and controlling cylindrical vector (CV) gamma rays. This team, led by Dr. Tong-Pu Yu, has proposed a new approach to produce gamma rays with tunable hybrid polarization, which could have profound implications for both fundamental research and practical applications in the energy sector.
The team’s research, published in the journal Nature Communications, focuses on the generation of CV gamma rays, which introduce spatially structured polarization as an additional degree of freedom. This is achieved through a rotating electron beam interacting with a solid foil. The beam generates a coherent transition radiation field, which then emits gamma rays via nonlinear Compton scattering. By manipulating the initial azimuthal momentum of the beam, the researchers can control the polarization angle of the gamma rays relative to the transverse momentum, resulting in tunable hybrid CV polarization states.
Three-dimensional spin-resolved particle-in-cell simulations conducted by the team demonstrated continuous tuning of the polarization angle across a range of -90° to 90°, with a high polarization degree exceeding 60%. This level of control over the polarization of gamma rays opens up new possibilities for high-energy physics, nuclear science, and laboratory astrophysics.
In the energy sector, the ability to generate and control structured gamma rays could have practical applications in advanced imaging techniques for materials science and nuclear engineering. For instance, these gamma rays could be used to probe the internal structure of materials in a non-destructive manner, providing valuable insights for the development of new energy materials and the improvement of existing ones. Additionally, the tunable polarization states could enhance the precision of gamma-ray spectroscopy, a technique used in various fields, including nuclear waste management and environmental monitoring.
The researchers’ work represents a significant advancement in the field of structured gamma rays, offering new tools for fundamental research and practical applications. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the ability to harness and control such advanced radiation sources could play a crucial role in driving innovation and improving efficiency.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.