K. Sakaue

Observation of pulsed x-ray trains produced by laser-electron Compton scatterings

X-ray generation based on laser-electron Compton scattering is one attractive method to achieve a compact laboratory-sized high-brightness x-ray source. We have designed, built, and tested such a source; it combines a 50 MeV multibunch electron linac with a mode-locked 1064 nm laser stored and amplified in a Fabry-Perot optical cavity. We directly observed trains of pulsed x rays using a microchannel plate detector; the resultant yield was found to be 1.2x10(5) Hz in good agreement with prediction. We believe that the result has demonstrated good feasibility of linac-based compact x-ray sources via laser-electron Compton scatterings.

Photon generation by laser-Compton scattering at the KEK-ATF

We performed a photon generation experiment by laser-Compton scattering at the KEK-ATF,aiming to develop a Compton based polarized positron source for linear colliders. In the experiment, laser pulses with a 357 MHz repetition rate were accumulated and their power was enhanced by up to 250 times in the Fabry-Perot optical resonant cavity. We succeeded in synchronizing the laser pulses and colliding them with the 1.3 GeV electron beam in the ATF ring while maintaining the laser pulse accumulation in the cavity. As a result, we observed 26.0 +/- 0.1 photons per electron-laser pulse crossing, which corresponds to a yield of 10(8) photons in a second

Determination of the polarization states of an arbitrary polarized terahertz beam: Vectorial vortex analysis

Vectorial vortex analysis is used to determine the polarization states of an arbitrarily polarized terahertz (0.1–1.6 THz) beam using THz achromatic axially symmetric wave (TAS) plates, which have a phase retardance of Δ = 163° and are made of polytetrafluorethylene. Polarized THz beams are converted into THz vectorial vortex beams with no spatial or wavelength dispersion, and the unknown polarization states of the incident THz beams are reconstructed. The polarization determination is also demonstrated at frequencies of 0.16 and 0.36 THz. The results obtained by solving the inverse source problem agree with the values used in the experiments. This vectorial vortex analysis enables a determination of the polarization states of the incident THz beam from the THz image. The polarization states of the beams are estimated after they pass through the TAS plates. The results validate this new approach to polarization detection for intense THz sources. It could find application in such cutting edge areas of physics as nonlinear THz photonics and plasmon excitation, because TAS plates not only instantaneously elucidate the polarization of an enclosed THz beam but can also passively control THz vectorial vortex beams.

Photon Generation by Laser-Compton Scattering Using an Optical Resonant Cavity at the KEK-ATF Electron Ring

We studied gamma-ray generation by the laser-Compton scattering using a Fabry-Perot optical resonant cavity at the KEK-ATF electron storage ring. The laser power was enhanced up to 388 W in the optical resonant cavity with an injection power of 7 W in the ATF operation environments. The yield of photons for a crossing of a laser pulse and an electron bunch was 3.3 +/- 0.6, which was consistent with a numerical estimate. In this paper, we report construction, installation and future prospect toward the polarized positron generation for the International Linear Collider.

Bunch Length Monitor Using Two-Frequency Analysis for RF Gun System

An rms (root mean square) bunch length monitor for a laser-driven photocathode rf gun system based on a two-frequency analysis technique has been developed. Typically, the photoelectron beam generated from the rf gun system has an energy of 3–5 MeV and an rms bunch length smaller than 20 ps down to 3–4 ps. This monitor is suitable for such electron beam measurement. The rms bunch length as a function of rf phase was experimentally measured using both the rms bunch length monitor and streak camera technique using a 50 MeV electron beam at the KEK accelerator test facility (KEK-ATF) injector section which has an rf gun system and a 3-m-long accelerator structure. A numerical simulation study was also performed using the PARMELA code. The availability of this monitor was clearly verified by comparing the results. Consequently, this monitor was installed in the rf gun system at Waseda University and the rms bunch length measurement for a 3.5 MeV electron beam was precisely performed using the monitor.

Observation of the stimulated coherent diffraction radiation in an open resonator at LUCX facility

We present an initial test of a new type of a pre-bunched beam pumped free electron maser based on Stimulated Coherent Diffraction Radiation (SCDR) generated in an open resonator. A fast Schottky Barrier Diode (time response o1 ns) has enabled us to investigate the properties of the radiation stored in the cavity as well as the intrinsic properties of the cavity itself. We observed a turn-by-turn SCDR generated by a multibunch beam. When the cavity length was exactly a half of the bunch spacing a clear resonance was observed. Moreover, turn-by-turn measurements revealed the cavity quality factor of 72.88, which was rather high for an open resonator in the wavelength range of 3–5 mm. An exponential growth of the photon intensity as a function of the number of bunches was also demonstrated.

1 ms Pulse Beam Generation and Acceleration by Photocathode Radio Frequency Gun and Superconducting Accelerator

We report the successful generation and acceleration of a 1-ms-long pulse and multibunch electron beam by a normal conducting photocathode RF gun and a super conducting accelerator at the KEK Superconducting Test Facility (STF). A 1.3 GHz normal conducting RF gun generates a 1 ms and 10 mA macropulse that fully satisfies the designed parameters. This is the longest macropulse generated by a normal conducting RF gun with a frequency of more than 1 GHz. A beam acceleration of up to 40 MeV was demonstrated with more than 60% of the designed average current. The accelerated beam properties were evaluated: the intensity and energy fluctuations were 3.8% and less than 0.08%, respectively. These beam properties are sufficient for the requirement of the STF operation including that in the quantum beam project, which is high-brightness-X-ray generation by inverse laser Compton scattering. The intensity fluctuation should be improved toward the International Linear Collider (ILC) for uniform acceleration.

Design of high brightness laser-Compton source for extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray wavelengths

Design of a clean, high-brightness light source is presented for extreme ultraviolet/soft x-ray (EUV/SXR) lithography research and mask inspection. Basic characteristics of classical laser-Compton scattering are reviewed, and the laser and electron beam parameters at relatively low energy (EUV to SXR) photon generation are optimized. Recent achievements in each component technology are evaluated on a continuous wave (CW)-operated electron linac and energy recovery linac system, based on superconducting technologies at a 1.3 GHz operation frequency, 10 kW average power, short pulse CO2 laser, and optical super cavity with a 600- enhancement- factor at 10.6 μm wavelength. Combining both the CW electron beam and short pulse CO2 laser with super-cavity enhancement, 1  mW/2%  ?startb.w.end? flux and 30  kW/mm2/sr/2%  ?startb.w.end? brightness laser-Compton source is designed at 6.7-nm wavelength. The technological gap in the present component technologies are discussed, as well as any further required developments.

Development of microwave and soft X-ray sources based on coherent radiation and Thomson scattering

Compact, high-brightness and reliable sources in the VUV and the soft X-ray region may be used for numerous applications in medicine and biochemistry. We propose a new approach to produce the intense beams of X-rays in the range of ≤ 500 eV based on compact electron accelerator. We present our first experimental results obtained in the Laser Undulator Compact X-ray facility (LUCX) at KEK: High Energy Accelerator Research Organization devoted to the development of a compact microwave and soft X-ray source based on coherent diffraction radiation and Thompson scattering processes.

Demonstration of the stabilization technique for nonplanar optical resonant cavities utilizing polarization

Based on our previously developed scheme to stabilize nonplanar optical resonant cavities utilizing polarization caused by a geometric phase in electromagnetic waves traveling along a twisted path, we report an application of the technique for a cavity installed in the Accelerator Test Facility, a 1.3-GeV electron beam accelerator at KEK, in which photons are generated by laser-Compton scattering. We successfully achieved a power enhancement of 1200 with 1.4% fluctuation, which means that the optical path length of the cavity has been controlled with a precision of 14 pm under an accelerator environment. In addition, polarization switching utilizing a geometric phase of the nonplanar cavity was demonstrated.