Generation of GW Radiation Pulses from a VUV Free-Electron Laser Operating in the Femtosecond Regime

TLDR

The generation of ultrashort radiation pulses became possible through specific tailoring of the bunch charge distribution. The study presents experimental results from a vacuum‑ultraviolet free‑electron laser operating in self‑amplified spontaneous emission mode and characterizes its linear and nonlinear SASE dynamics. At saturation, the FEL emits 30–100 fs pulses with gigawatt‑level peak power, full transverse coherence, and tunable wavelengths between 95 and 105 nm.

Abstract

Experimental results are presented from vacuum-ultraviolet free-electron laser (FEL) operating in the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) mode. The generation of ultrashort radiation pulses became possible due to specific tailoring of the bunch charge distribution. A complete characterization of the linear and nonlinear modes of the SASE FEL operation was performed. At saturation the FEL produces ultrashort pulses (30-100 fs FWHM) with a peak radiation power in the GW level and with full transverse coherence. The wavelength was tuned in the range of 95-105 nm.