F. Ciocci

The SPARC project: a high-brightness electron beam source at LNF to drive a SASE-FEL experiment

Abstract The Project Sorgente Pulsata e Amplificata di Radiazione Coerente (SPARC), proposed by a collaboration among ENEA–INFN–CNR–Universita’ di Tor Vergata–INFM–ST, was recently approved by the Italian Government and will be built at LNF. The aim of the project is to promote an R&D activity oriented to the development of a coherent ultra-brilliant X-ray source in Italy. This collaboration has identified a program founded on two main issues: the generation of ultra-high peak brightness electron beams and of resonant higher harmonics in the SASE-FEL process, as presented in this paper.

Design considerations on a high-power VUV FEL

We explore the feasibility conditions of a high-power EEL operating in the VUV region (below 100 nm) and exploiting a coupled oscillator triplicator configuration. A high quality beam from a linac is passed through a EEL oscillator and produces laser radiation at 240 nm. The same beam is extracted and then injected into a second undulator tuned at the third harmonic of the first. The bunching produced in the oscillator allows the start up of the laser signal in the second section which operates as an amplifier. We discuss the dynamical behavior of the system and the dependence of the output power on the characteristics of the e-beam and of the oscillator. The possibility of enhancing the output power, adding a tapered section to the second undulator, is finally analyzed. >

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.

About the mathematical aspects of the FEL and their relationship to quantum optics

Abstract In this work we discuss some mathematical problems arising in the analysis of the Free Electron Laser. We point out that the interest in these problems goes beyond the FEL, since they are formally similar to those encountered in the analysis of other topics in quantum optics. We propose general techniques of analysis which can be usefully exploited to understand the FEL physics as well as the other problems where similar mathematical difficulties appear.

Metal-grating far-infrared free-electron lasers

The general characteristics of grating-based free-electron lasers are established, and the beam and resonator parameters needed for operation at far-infrared wavelengths are discussed.

Above threshold operation of the ENEA free electron laser

Abstract Recent experimental results of the ENEA FEL experiment performed with a 20 MeV, 120 mA microtron and a linearly polarized pulsed electromagnetic undulator are reported.

Conceptual design of a high-brightness linac for soft X-ray SASE-FEL source

Abstract FELs based on SASE are believed to be powerful tools to explore the frontiers of basic sciences, from physics to chemistry to biology. Intense R&D programs have started in the USA and Europe in order to understand the SASE physics and to prove the feasibility of these sources. The allocation of considerable resources in the Italian National Research Plan (PNR) brought about the formation of a CNR–ENEA–INFN–University of Roma “Tor Vergata” study group. A conceptual design study has been developed and possible schemes for linac sources have been investigated, leading to the SPARX proposal. We report in this paper the results of a preliminary start to end simulation concerning one option we are considering based on an S-band normal conducting linac with high-brightness photoinjector integrated in an RF compressor.

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.

Effect of electron beam energy distribution on the wiggler - undulator brightness

Abstract We explore the effect of the e-beam energy distribution on the wiggler-undulator brightness. We show that a powerful tool of analysis is the expansion of a given distribution in series of Gaussians. The convenience of the method both for analytical and numerical purposes is stressed. We discuss two specific examples one of which being the brightness of the recently proposed two frequency undulator. The relevance of the analysis is also discussed within the framework of free electron laser physics.