R. Tatchyn

Research and development toward a 4.5−1.5 Å linac coherent light source (LCLS) at SLAC

Abstract In recent years significant studies have been initiated on the feasibility of utilizing a portion of the 3 km S-band accelerator at SLAC to drive a short wavelength (4.5−1.5 A) Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), a Free-Electron Laser (FEL) operating in the Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) regime. Electron beam requirements for single-pass saturation in a minimal time include: 1) a peak current in the 7 kA range, 2) a relative energy spread of e = λ 4π , where λ[m] is the output wavelength. Requirements on the insertion device include field error levels of 0.02% for keeping the electron bunch centered on and in phase with the amplified photons, and a focusing beta of 8 m/rad for inhibiting the dilution of its transverse density. Although much progress has been made in developing individual components and beam-processing techniques necessary for LCLS operation down to ∼20 A, a substantial amount of research and development is still required in a number of theoretical and experimental areas leading to the construction and operation of a 4.5−1.5 A LCLS. In this paper we report on a research and development program underway and in planning at SLAC for addressing critical questions in these areas. These include the construction and operation of a linac test stand for developing laser-driven photocathode rf guns with normalized emittances approaching 1 mm-mrad; development of advanced beam compression, stability, and emittance control techniques at multi-GeV energies; the construction and operation of a FEL Amplifier Test Experiment (FATE) for theoretical and experimental studies of SASE at IR wavelengths; an undulator development program to investigate superconducting, hybrid/permanent magnet (hybrid/PM), and pulsed-Cu technologies; theoretical and computational studies of high-gain FEL physics and LCLS component designs; development of X-ray optics and instrumentation for extracting, modulating, and delivering photons to experimental users; and the study and development of scientific experiments made possible by the source properties of the LCLS.

The LCLS: A fourth generation light source using the SLAC linac

Recent technological developments make it possible to consider use of the Stanford linear accelerator to drive a linac coherent light source (LCLS)—a laser operating at hard x‐ray wavelengths. In the LCLS, stimulated emission of radiation would be achieved in a single pass of a high‐energy, extremely bright electron beam through an undulator, without the optical cavity resonator normally used in storage ring‐based free‐electron lasers. The x‐ray laser beam would be nearly diffraction limited with very high transverse coherence, and would exhibit unprecedented peak intensity and peak brightness, and sub‐picosecond pulse length. Such an x‐ray source offers unique capabilities for a large number of scientific applications.

A 2 to 4 nm high power FEL on the SLAC linac

Abstract We report the results of preliminary studies of a 2 to 4 nm SASE FEL, using a photoinjector to produce the electron beam, and the SLAC linac to accelerate it to an energy up to 10 GeV. Longitudinal bunch compression is used to increase ten fold the peak current to 2.5 kA, while reducing the bunch length to the subpicosecond range. The saturated output power is in the multi-gigawatt range, producing about 1014 coherent photons within a bandwidth of about 0.2% rms, in a pulse of several millijoules. At 120 Hz repetition rate the average power is about 1 W. The system is optimized for X-ray microscopy in the water window around 2 to 4 nm, and will permit imaging a biological sample in a single subpicosecond pulse.

CYLINDRICAL COMPOUND REFRACTIVE X-RAY LENSES USING PLASTIC SUBSTRATES

We have measured the intensity profile of x rays focused by compound refractive lenses (CRLs) fabricated using acrylic (Lucite) and polyethylene plastics. A linear array of closely spaced holes acts as multiple cylindrical lenses. The important parameters for this type of focusing are the focal length and absorption, and, for wavelengths shorter than 3 A, low atomic number plastics are suitable. We have experimentally demonstrated that we can achieve one-dimensional focusing for photon energies between 9 and 19.5 keV with focal lengths between 20 and 100 cm. For example, using 12 keV x rays we have achieved focal full width at half maximum linewidths down to 21 μm at a distance of only 20 cm from the CRL. The x-ray source was a synchrotron emitter whose source size in the vertical dimension was 445 μm.

Computational simulations of high-intensity x-ray matter interaction

Free electron lasers have the promise of producing extremely high-intensity short pulses of coherent, monochromatic radiation in the 1-10 keV energy range. For example, the Linac Coherent Light Source at Stanford is being designed to produce an output intensity of 2x1014 W/cm2 in a 230 fs pulse. These sources will open the door to many novel research studies. However, the intense x-ray pulses may damage the optical components necessary for studying and controlling the output. At the full output intensity, the dose to optical components at normal incidence ranges from 1-10 eV/atom for low-Z materials (Z<14) at photon energies of 1 keV. It is important to have an understanding of the effects of such high doses in order to specify the composition, placement, and orientation of optical components, such as mirrors and monochromators. Doses of 10 eV/atom are certainly unacceptable since they will lead to ablation of the surface of the optical components. However, it is not precisely known what the damage thresholds are for the materials being considered for optical components for x-ray free electron lasers. In this paper, we present analytic estimates and computational simulations of the effects of high-intensity x-ray pulses on materials. We outline guidelines for the maximum dose to various materials and discuss implications for the design of optical components.

The SLAC soft X-ray high power FEL

We discuss the design and performance of a 2 to 4 nm FEL operating in Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE), using a photoinjector to produce the electron beam, and the SLAC linac to accelerate it to an energy of about 7 GeV. Longitudinal bunch compression is used to increase the peak current to 2.5 kA, while reducing the bunch length to about 40 μm. The FEL field gain length is about 6 m, and the saturation length is about 60 m. The saturated output power is about 10 GW, corresponding to about 1014 photons in a single pulse in a bandwidth of about 0.1%, with a pulse duration of 0.16 ps. Length compression, emittance control, phase stability, FEL design criteria, and parameter tolerances are discussed.

Selected applications of planar permanent magnet multipoles in FEL insertion device design

In recent work, a new class of magnetic multipoles based on planar configurations of permanent magnet (PM) material has been developed. These structures, in particular the quadrupole and sextupole, feature fully open horizontal apertures, and are comparable in effectiveness to conventional iron multipole structures. In this paper results of recent measurements of planar PM quadrupoles and sextupoles are reported and selected applications to FEL insertion device design are considered.

Design considerations for a 60 meter pure permanent magnet undulator for the SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS)

In this paper we describe design, fabrication, and measurement aspects of a pure permanent magnet (PM) insertion device designed to operate as an FEL at a 1st harmonic energy of 300 eV and an electron energy of 7 GeV in the self-amplified spontaneous emission regime.<<ETX>>

X-ray tests of multilayer coated optics

The performance at soft x-ray wavelengths of multilayer mirrors fabricated with absorber layers of transition metals in the Ni to V series has been tested. Tests were performed at the Stanford Synchroton Radiation Laboratory, using a test chamber which allowed reflectivity measurements to be performed at angles from near-grazing to near-normal incidence. Useful reflectivity data were obtained at energies from 80 eV to the carbon edge (~250 eV). Some of the materials which were found to perform well at coarse 2d spacings were later tested in finer multilayers to evaluate the influence of interlayer surface roughness on reflectivity.

Diffraction efficiencies of holographic transmission gratings in the region 80–1300 eV

Experimental measurements of diffraction efficiencies for holographic transmission gratings have been performed. The transmitted intensity distribution is characterized by an overall efficiency of about 10% into first order and a strong resonance enhancement, up to 20% efficiency, around the region of anomalous dispersion. The intensity distribution is well described by a grating model which predicts the overall efficiency, as well as the detailed behavior of the grating around the regions of anomalous dispersion. The model can be used to predict the efficiencies for an arbitrary grating material and thickness, and thus aid in the determination of grating structure for a specific experimental application.