We demonstrate multiphoton, single shot diffraction images of x rays produced by inverse Compton scattering a high-power ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ laser from a relativistic electron beam, creating a pulse of 8.7 keV x rays. The tightly focused, relatively high peak brightness electron beam and high photon density from the 2 J ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ laser yielded $6\times {10}^7$ x-ray photons over the full opening angle in a single shot. Single shot x-ray diffraction is performed by passing the x rays though a vertical slit and on to a flat silicon (111) crystal. ${10}^2$ diffracted photons were detected. The spectrum of the detected x rays is compared to simulation. The diffraction and detection of ${10}^2$ x rays is a key step to a more efficient time resolved diagnostic in which the number of observed x rays might reach ${10}^4$; enabling a unique, flexible x-ray source as a sub-ps resolution diagnostic for studying the evolution of chemical reactions, lattice deformation and melting, and magnetism.

• Received 26 July 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTAB.15.020702

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Published by the American Physical Society