NIST-NRL Free-Electron Laser
Abstract
A free-electron laser (FEL) user facility is being constructed. The FEL, which will be operated as an oscillator, will be driven by the 17 MeV to 185 MeV to 185 MeV electron beam of the NIST continuous-wave racetrack microtron. Anticipated performance of the FEL includes: wavelength tuneable from 200 nm to 10 micrometers; a continuous train of 3-ps pulses at either 16.5 or 66.1 MHz; and average power of 10 W to 200 W. Construction of the RTM will be completed in January 1991. The measured rms field error is 0.6%, which is sufficiently small for good gain. With a full-scale model of the 9-m-long optical cavity, we have developed a method of aligning the cavity end mirrors to the required accuracy using white light and an autocollimator/telescope. We have performed three-dimensional simulations of performance including the effects of the electron beam (emittance, pulse length and shape, and timing jitter), undulator field errors, and cavity losses. These calculations predict adequate gain for lasing across the full wavelength range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA227310
Entities
People
- B. C. Johnson
- Philip H. Debenham
- Robert L. Ayres
- Ronald G. Johnson
- Wayne A. Cassatt
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology