Parametric X-ray radiation in the Smith-Purcell geometry for non-destructive beam diagnostics

Abstract

We investigate parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) under condition of the extremely asymmetric diffraction, when the ultra-relativistic electron bunch is moving in vacuum parallel to the crystal-vacuum interface, close to the crystal surface. This type of geometry coincides with the well known mechanism of generation of radiation, when the self-field of the particle beam interacts with the reflecting metal grating, namely the Smith-Purcell effect. We demonstrate that in this geometry the main contribution is given via a tail region of the beam distribution, which penetrates the crystal and X-rays are radiated along the normal to the crystal surface. We determine the electron beam characteristics, when this phenomenon can be observed. It is essential that in this geometry the majority of electrons does not undergo multiple scattering and consequently the characteristics of the particle beam are not changed, thus allowing the usage of the emitted X-rays for the purpose of non-destructive beam diagnostics, which can complement the traditional knife-edge method.