Resonant Scattering of Plane-Wave and Twisted Photons at the Gamma Factory

A theoretical investigation of the resonant elastic scattering of laser photons by ultra-relativistic partially stripped ions, that is the core process of the Gamma Factory project, is presented. Special emphasis in the study is placed on the angular distribution and polarization of scattered photons as observed in the collider and ion-rest reference frames. In order to describe these (angular and polarization) properties for arbitrary relativistic many-electron ion, the general approach, based on the application of irreducible polarization tensors, is laid down. By making use of the polarization tensors, the scattering of both conventional plane-wave- and twisted (or vortex) photons is explored in detail. For the former case, it is shown how the propagation directions and polarization states of incident and outgoing photons are related to each other for the nS0 -> n ' P1 -> nS0, nS1/2 -> n ' P1/2 -> nS1/2, and nS1/2 -> n ' P3/2 -> nS1/2 resonant transitions. For the scattering of initially twisted light that carries non-zero orbital angular momentum, the angular distribution of secondary photons is explored and the conditions under which they are also twisted are discussed.

Automated summary

This theoretical investigation focuses on the resonant elastic scattering of laser photons by ultra-relativistic partially stripped ions, emphasizing the angular distribution and polarization of scattered photons in different reference frames. The general approach, based on irreducible polarization tensors, is utilized to describe these properties for relativistic many-electron ions, exploring both conventional and twisted photons. The study demonstrates the relationship between incident and outgoing photon propagation directions and polarization states for specific resonant transitions, as well as the angular distribution of secondary photons in the scattering of initially twisted light carrying orbital angular momentum.