Theory for the CEBAF Infrared and Shipboard FELS
Abstract
The continuing development of the free electron laser (FEL) as a powerful and versatile source of coherent radiation steadily drives toward the goal of high efficiency and broad tunability at shorter wavelengths. New experiments provide significant data and insight for analysis by theoreticians and experimentalists. Two important areas of study are short electron pulse effects, and the dynamics of optical mode distortion by intense beam currents. The initial part of this thesis examines one aspect of the projected task of FEL application as a military weapon. The advantages of the FEL over other directed energy sources are detailed, as well as the challenge presented by the effects of the marine atmosphere to high energy laser propagation. The remainder of this thesis examines several effects of long wavelength FELS. Chapter IV examines the proposed parameters of the CE-OAF IR FEL, and the analysis leads to predictions describing system performance. Chapter V examines the effects of single pass optical mode distortion for FELs with narrow electron beams. Single-mode theory states that gain is proportional to the product of electron beam current and filling factor, but three dimensional simulations show that gain is a function of electron beam-filling factor alone. Also examined is a phenomenon of destructive interference of light in the FEL modulator.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA252174
Entities
People
- Darwin L. Clark
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School