SUGGESTED INTENSE POSITRON SOURCE BASED ON (MICROPOLE) UNDULATOR INDUCED PAIR PRODUCTION

The construction of an Intense Positron Source (IPS) is suggested. The intensity of the produced positrons is to exceed that of any other ex isting source by orders of magnitude. The instantaneous intensity is t o be 10(3) to 10(6) times higher yet. Fast positrons are to be produce d in pulses of time duration almost-equal-to 1 ns to 10 ps. Slow posit ron pulses of order less than or similar to 100 ps are expected. The p hase space density of positrons at production will be in excess of wha t can be achieved by other methods. The IPS is to consist of 1) an und ulator (usually a micropole undulator, i.e. an undulator with submilli meter period) in which gamma rays in the MeV range will be generated b y electron beams circulating in a storage ring; 2) a heavy metal targe t, in which e+e- pairs will be produced by the generated gamma rays; 3 ) moderators to thermalize the produced positrons; and 4) a transport system through which the slow positrons will move. Spinoff benefits pr ovided by the suggested device include the following: The equipment ma y be used to create (or destroy) nuclear isotopes in a controlled mann er (i.e. without producing unwanted species); to produce (or destroy) in a controlled way chemical elements; to produce well collimated inte nse photon beams in the multi 100 MeV range for nuclear physics resear ch, with intensities many orders of magnitude higher than can be achie ved today; to generate intense bursts of neutrons; to supply fast posi trons produced at high intensities (10(16) to 10(17) s-1) and within a small transverse phase space, to future high energy colliders, thereb y perhaps even eliminating the need for damping rings.