Gamma-gamma, gamma-electron colliders

Abstract

It is very likely that in 3-4 years the construction of one or two linear colliders with c.m.s energy up to 0.5--1.5 TeV will be started. Besides e^+e^- collisions, linear colliders give a unique possibility to study gamma-gamma and gamma-electron interactions at energies and luminosities comparable to those in e^+e^- collisions. High energy photons for gamma-gamma and gamma-electron collisions can be obtained using laser backscattering. These types of collisions considerably increase the physics potential of linear colliders for relatively a small incremental cost. This report briefly reviews the physics goals and possible parameters of gamma-gamma colliders.