Eric Renault

Towards the Fourier limit on the super-ACO Storage Ring FEL

Abstract Systematic studies on the Free Electron Laser (FEL) line and micropulse have been performed on the Super-ACO storage ring FEL with a monochromator and a double-sweep streak camera under various conditions of operation (detuning, “CW” and Q-switched mode). From these data, it appears that the FEL is usually operated very close to the Fourier limit.

Applications of UV-storage ring free electron lasers: the case of super-ACO

Abstract The potential of UV-storage ring free electron lasers (SRFELs) for the performance of original application experiments is shown with a special emphasis concerning their combination with the naturally synchronized synchrotron radiation (SR). The first two-color FEL+SR experiment, performed in surface science at Super-ACO is reported. The experimental parameters found to be the most important as gathered from the acquired experience, are underlined and discussed. Finally, future prospects for the scientific program of the Super-ACO FEL are presented with two-color experiments combining the FEL with SR undulator-based XUV and VUV beamlines as well as with a SR white light bending magnet beamline emiting in the IR-UV ( 20 μm – 0.25 μm ) .

Inter-dependence of the electron beam excitations with the free electron laser stability on the super-ACO storage ring

Abstract Storage ring free electron lasers have a complex dynamics as compared to the LINAC driven FEL sources since both the laser and the recirculating electron beam behaviours are involved. Electron beam perturbations can strongly affect the FEL operation (start-up, stability) whereas the FEL can stabilize beam instabilities. Experimental analysis together with simulations are reported here. Improvements of the Super-ACO FEL for users is discussed, and consequences are given in terms of electron beam tolerances for a source development for users.

Two-color experiments combining the UV storage ring free-electron laser and the SA5 IR beamline at Super-ACO

The UV-storage ring Free Electron Laser (FEL) operating at Super-ACO is a tunable, coherent and intense (up to 300 mW) photon source in the near-UV range (300 - 350 nm). Besides, it has the unique feature to be synchronized in a one-to-one shot ratio with the Synchrotron Radiation (SR) at the high repetition rate of 8.32 MHz. This FEL + SR combination appears to be very powerful for the performance of pump- probe time-resolved and/or frequency-resolved experiments on the sub-ns and ns time-scales. In particular, there is a strong scientific case for the combination of the recently- commissioned SA5 Infra-Red Synchrotron Radiation beamline with the UV-FEL, for the performance of transient IR- absorption spectroscopy on FEL-excited samples with a Fourier-transform spectrometer coupled with a microscope allowing high spectral and spatial resolution. The principle and interest of the two-color combination altogether with the description of both the FEL and the SA5 IR beamline are presented. The first synchronization signal between the IR and the UV beams is shown. The correct spatial overlap between the UV (FEL) and the IR (SR) photon beams is demonstrated by monitoring via IR-spectro-microscopy the time evolution of a single mineral particulate (kaolinite) under UV-FEL irradiation.

Achromatic damage investigations on mirrors for UV-free electron lasers

Storage Ring Free Electron Laser (FEL) are attractive, full of promise, tuneable and powerful laser sources for the UV range. High reflectivity dielectric mirrors should be produced in order to allow lasing at very short wavelength, with a long stability in a strongly harsh environment and to optimize the extracted FEL power required for most of the newest applications. The front mirror of the laser cavity receives all the synchrotron radiation (SR) emitted by the wiggler, which is responsible for the mirror degradation, combined with the contamination by the vacuum residuals. We are tackling the problem of tests and manufactures of reliable robust mirrors and explore themes such as resistance analysis of UV mirrors to FEL multiscale power, broadband (X-UV) mirror robustness. Under drastic SR conditions, multiscale wavelength damages could be observed. Specific measurement techniques, able to investigate localized spatial modification induced by the non-uniform synchrotron radiation are presented. A local crystalline structure modification of the high index material appears together with a severe increase of the roughness.

Transient absorption spectroscopy in biology using the Super-ACO storage ring FEL and the synchrotron radiation combination

The Super-ACO storage ring FEL, covering the UV range down to 300 nm with a high average power (300 mW at 350 nm) together with a high stability and long lifetime, is a unique tool for the performance of users applications. We present here the first pump-probe two color experiments on biological species using a storage ring FEL coupled to the synchrotron radiation. The intense UV pulse of the Super-ACO FEL is used to prepare a high initial concentration of chromophores in their first singlet electronic excited state. The nearby bending magnet synchrotron radiation provides, on the other hand a pulsed, white light continuum (UV–IR), naturally synchronized with the FEL pulses and used to probe the photochemical subsequent events and the associated transient species. We have demonstrated the feasibility with a dye molecule (POPOP) observing a two-color effect, signature of excited state absorption and a temporal signature with Acridine. Applications on various chromophores of biological interest are carried out, such as the time-resolved absorption study of the first excited state of Acridine.

Transient absorption spectroscopy using the super-ACO storage ring FEL

The Super-ACO storage ring FEL is operating with a high average power in the UV range (300 mW at 350 nm), and recently at wavelengths down to 300 nm. In addition this source exhibits high stability and long lifetime which makes it a unique tool for user applications. The coupling of the FEL with other synchrotron based sources (bending magnet and undulator) opens many unexplored possibilities for various types of two-color time-resolved spectroscopies. Presently, we are developing a two-color experiment where we study the sub-nanosecond time-resolved absorption of different chromophoric compounds. In this type of pump-probe experiments, the intense UV pulse of the Super-ACO FEL is used to prepare a high initial concentration of chromophores in their first singlet electronic excited state. The nearby bending magnet synchrotron radiation provides on the other hand a pulsed, white light continuum ranging from UV to IR, which is naturally synchronized with the FEL pulses and can be used to probe the photochemical subsequent events and the transient species. With a dye molecule (POPOP), we have obtained a two-color effect which demonstrates the feasibility of the experiment in terms of flux. Applications on various chromophores of biological interest are planned.

UV dielectric multilayer mirrors for free-electron lasers

Storage Ring Free Electron Layers (FELs) are brand new laser sources where a relativistic electron beam passing through an undulator emits synchrotron radiation at a wavelength (lambda) which is tunable according to the electron beam energy and the magnetic field intensity. An overview of the SRFELs presently operating in the UV range is presented. The easy tunable FEL operation in the whole UV range is mainly limited by the mirrors losses, which should be maintained low even in the very hostile environment generated by the broadband high power spectrum of the undulator, extending to x-rays, and which action lead to the mirrors degradation. Dedicated mirror measurements have been then developed in LURE, in the visible and in the UV range, for checking the mirrors performances before insertion in the optical cavity and after degradation. In order to insure a wide tunability range and large output power of the FEL, low total losses are crucial for FEL oscillation at shorter wavelength. New FEL sources, for instance at the ELETTRA synchrotron source, could then provide a widely tunable and powerful laser light down to 200 nm.

Applications in biology with the super-ACO FEL and future prospects

The first applications of a storage ring Free Electron Laser started in 1993 on the Super-ACO FEL with the study of the anisotropy decay of a coenzyme, NADH, allowing to understand the thermodynamical equilibrium of the different conformational states of the molecule and their hydrodynamical volume in solution. After this first one- color experiment using the time-resolved fluorescence technique, a transient absorption experiment was developed in which the system is excited with the UV FEL and is probed by Visible-UV absorption using synchrotron radiation. First results on the dynamical behavior were obtained for the acrinide molecule.