Physics at a Photon Linear Collider
Abstract
With the convergence of linear collider and laser technology, a new type of facility may soon be made available for research in fundamental particle physics: a photon linear collider where high energy photon beams, produced by the Compton backscattering of laser photons off linac electrons, are brought into collision with electron beams or with other photon beams. Control over both the spectral distribution and mean helicity of the photon beam is possible by changing the polarization states of the linac electron beam and laser. High luminosity--potentially higher than in e^+e^- collisions--is possible in such a facility, providing an opportunity for a broad and diverse physics program. Implementing this scheme at a high energy linear collider significantly enhances the physics potential of the linear collider program. The presence of photons in the initial state contributes to a wide range of physics pursuits, including: exploration of the Higgs sector of the standard model; searches for new particles, including sparticles; determination of electroweak gauge boson properties; and tests of Quantum Chromodynamics. A low energy Compton collider offers near term prospects for particle physics and the opportunity to combine a research and development program for a next generation linear collider with a viable particle physics program.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994PhDT.......166B
- Keywords:
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- COMPTON COLLIDER;
- Physics: Elementary Particles and High Energy