The generation of gamma photons in the interaction of high-current beams of ultrarelativistic particles with thick plasma targets is considered. Efficiency of the beam energy conversion into gamma radiation depending on the target thickness and density is obtained via full-size 3D particle-in-cell simulation. An analytical estimate obtained within the framework of an approximate model is presented, which is in good agreement with the results of numerical simulation. The considered interaction configuration can be a fairly simple and effective way to obtain high-quality gamma beams. Key words
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.