Commissioning the Linac Coherent Light Source injector

TLDR

The Linac Coherent Light Source is a SASE x‑ray free‑electron laser under construction at SLAC. The authors report experimental results from the first commissioning phase and outline plans for a second phase in 2008 and FEL operation in 2009. They installed the injector section, including the drive laser, rf photocathode gun, and first bunch compressor, and plan to commission a second bunch compressor and the full linac using S‑band and X‑band rf systems and beam diagnostics. Initial commissioning in August 2007 demonstrated a 1.2‑µm emittance in a 1‑nC bunch.

Abstract

The Linac Coherent Light Source is a SASE x-ray free-electron laser (FEL) project presently under construction at SLAC [J. Arthur et al., SLAC-R-593, 2002.]. The injector section, from drive laser and rf photocathode gun through first bunch compressor chicane, was installed in the fall of 2006. The initial system commissioning with an electron beam was completed in August of 2007, with the goal of a 1.2-micron emittance in a 1-nC bunch demonstrated. The second phase of commissioning, including second bunch compressor and full linac, is planned for 2008, with FEL commissioning in 2009. We report experimental results and experience gained in the first phase of commissioning, including the photocathode drive laser, rf gun, photocathode, S-band and X-band rf systems, first bunch compressor, and the various beam diagnostics.