A. Petralia

Large-bandwidth two-color free-electron laser driven by a comb-like electron beam

We discuss a two-color SASE free-electron laser (FEL) amplifier where the time and energy separation of two separated radiation pulses are controlled by manipulation of the electron beam phase space. Two electron beamlets with adjustable time and energy spacing are generated in an RF photo-injector illuminating the cathode with a comb-like laser pulse followed by RF compression in the linear accelerator. We review the electron beam manipulation technique to generate bunches with time and energy properties suitable for driving two-color FEL radiation. Experimental measurements at the SPARC-LAB facility illustrate the flexibility of the scheme for the generation of two-color FEL spectra.

THz-ARTE: non-invasive terahertz diagnostics for art conservation

The project THz-ARTE ldquoTerahertz Advanced Research TEchniques for non-invasive analysis in art conservationrdquo has recently been selected in the area of Technologies applied to Cultural Heritage in the framework of the Agreement between the Government of Italy and the Government of Japan on cooperation in Science and Technology.

Time-domain measurement of a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser with an energy-chirped electron beam and undulator tapering

We report the first experimental implementation of a method based on simultaneous use of an energy chirp in the electron beam and a tapered undulator, for the generation of ultrashort pulses in a self-amplified spontaneous emission mode free-electron laser (SASE FEL). The experiment, performed at the SPARC FEL test facility, demonstrates the possibility of compensating the nominally detrimental effect of the chirp by a proper taper of the undulator gaps. An increase of more than 1 order of magnitude in the pulse energy is observed in comparison to the untapered case, accompanied by FEL spectra where the typical SASE spiking is suppressed.

Mapping the transverse coherence of the self amplified spontaneous emission of a free-electron laser with the heterodyne speckle method

The two-dimensional single shot transverse coherence of the Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission of the SPARC_LAB Free-Electron Laser was measured through the statistical analysis of a speckle field produced by heterodyning the radiation beam with a huge number of reference waves, scattered by a suspension of particles. In this paper we report the measurements and the evaluation of the transverse coherence along the SPARC_LAB undulator modules. The measure method was demonstrated to be precise and robust, it does not require any a priori assumptions and can be implemented over a wide range of wavelengths, from the optical radiation to the x-rays.

Spatial properties of odd and even low order harmonics generated in gas

High harmonic generation in gases is developing rapidly as a soft X-ray femtosecond light-source for applications. This requires control over all the harmonics characteristics and in particular, spatial properties have to be kept very good. In previous literature, measurements have always included several harmonics contrary to applications, especially spectroscopic applications, which usually require a single harmonic. To fill this gap, we present here for the first time a detailed study of completely isolated harmonics. The contribution of the surrounding harmonics has been totally suppressed using interferential filtering which is available for low harmonic orders. In addition, this allows to clearly identify behaviors of standard odd orders from even orders obtained by frequency-mixing of a fundamental laser and of its second harmonic. Comparisons of the spatial intensity profiles, of the spatial coherence and of the wavefront aberration level of 5ω at 160 nm and 6ω at 135 nm have then been performed. We have established that the fundamental laser beam aberrations can cause the appearance of a non-homogenous donut-shape in the 6ω spatial intensity distribution. This undesirable effect can be easily controlled. We finally conclude that the spatial quality of an even harmonic can be as excellent as in standard generation.

Spectral and intensity diagnostics of the SPARC free-electron-laser

We describe the instrument that is used for the spectral and intensity diagnostics of the SPARC free-electron-laser facility in Frascati (Italy). The instrument hosts three interchangeable gratings to cover the 50-550 nm spectral region and an EUV-enhanced CCD detector to acquire the spectrum in the single-shot operation with high resolution. The spectral resolution is in the range 2000-10000. The design, characterization and calibration of the instrument are presented and some results obtained at SPARC are discussed.

SASE FEL Storage Ring

We explore the possibility of operating a self-amplified spontaneous emission free electron laser with a storage ring. We use a semi-analytical model to obtain the evolution inside the undulator, by taking into account the interplay on the laser dynamics due to the induced energy spread and the radiation damping. We obtain the Renieris limit for the stationary output power, and discuss the possibility of including in our model the effect of the beam instabilities.

Seeded FEL with two energy level electron beam distribution at SPARC_LAB

We present the experimental evidence of the generation of coherent and statistically stable Free-Electron Laser (FEL) two color radiation obtained by seeding an electron double peaked beam in time and energy with a single peaked laser pulse. The FEL radiation presents two neat spectral lines, with time delay, frequency separation and relative intensity that can be accurately controlled. The analysis of the emission shows a temporal coherence and regularity in frequency significantly enhanced with respect to the Self Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE).

Segmented undulator operation at the SPARC-FEL test facility

A short period undulator (1.4 cm) has been designed for the SPARC-FEL test facility and has been realized in collaboration with KYMA Srl. It has been installed on the undulator line at SPARC. The undulator, operating in a delta like mode, has been used as radiator in a segmented configuration. The first stage being provided by the five undulators of the SPARC FEL source “old” chain, with period 2.8 cm. The KYMA undulator has a quatrefoil structure, a high magnetic field homogeneity and focuses both in vertical and radial directions. The two sections, namely the bunching and radiating parts, are arranged in such a way that the second is adjusted on a harmonic of the first. Laser action occurring in the second part, is due to the bunching acquired in the first. Simulations of the temporal and spectral profiles in different electron beam operating conditions are reported, as well as the evolution of the longitudinal phase space. The agreement with the experimental results is discussed The importance of this experiment is at least threefold: 1) It proves that the segmented undulator can successfully be operated 2) It proves that the laser emission in the last undulator is entirely due to the bunching mechanism, being no second harmonic signal present in the first segment 3) Encourages various improvements of the configuration itself, as e.g. the use of a further undulator with variable magnetic field configuration in order to obtain a laser field with adjustable polarization.

Electron Beam Transverse Longitudinal Dynamics for SASE FEL Operation

We present a procedure based on the combined use of analytical and numerical tools, useful for understanding the relative interplay between the various components of a free electron laser (FEL) self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) device. We take as reference case the Sorgente Pulsata Auto-amplificata di Radiazione Coerente (SPARC) experiment to analyze how electron beam transverse matching conditions affect the lasing conditions itself and discuss the possibility of implementing new configurations. In particular we show that the procedure can be extended to account for the effect of an on line inserted cavity, with the role of inducing a transverse longitudinal correlation allowing a transfer of the longitudinal and transverse emittance. We discuss the associated benefit on the FEL operation, with particular reference to the nonlinear harmonic generation. The possibility of completing the tool with regards to the beam degradation effects due to CSR is briefly accounted for.