SLAC, Menlo Park, California
LLNL, Livermore, California
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a Free Electron Laser (FEL) operating with a fundamental wavelength ranging from 1.5-0.15 nm. Characterization of the higher harmonics present in the beam is important to users, for whom harder X-rays can either extend the useful operating wavelength range or represent a background to measurements. We present here measurements of the power in both the second and third harmonics.
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
The Linac Coherent Light Source at SLAC is a hard X-ray FEL which was designed for single electron bunch operation. Although most user experiments are not interested in multiple bunches from an S-band linac due to their short (ns) separation, there are some advantages with multi-bunch operation. Starting with two bunches where the delayed light of one bunch is used to seed the light of a second bunch, to many more bunches to increase the likelihood of rare target collisions, multi-bunch operation would open more options for the LCLS. In the past the SLAC Linac has operated with a few dedicated bunches for the SLC (Stanford Linear Collider), and up to 1400 bunches for some fixed target experiments, so a few bunches for the LCLS seems possible even with the original single bunch design. This paper will describe how the current RF implementation supports multi-bunch operation. Initial experimental tests with two bunches are presented.
LBNL, Berkeley, California
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
The scientific potential of femtosecond x-ray pulses at linac-driven FELs such as the LCLS is tremendous. Time-resolved pump-probe experiments require a measure of the relative arrival time of each x-ray pulse with respect to the experimental pump laser. To achieve this, precise synchronization is required between the arrival time diagnostic and the laser which are often separated by hundreds of meters. For seeded FELs, synchronization is necessary between the seed and pump laser. We describe an optical timing system based on stabilized fiber links which has been developed for the LCLS. Preliminary results show stability of the timing distribution at the sub-20 fsec level. We present details of the results measured during LCLS operation for the first pump-probe experiment in October 2009 and the present user run starting in April 2010. We conclude with a discussion of potential for development.
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
During undulator commissioning of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) x-ray Free Electron Laser (FEL) at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory it was shown that saturation lengths much shorter than the installed length of the undulator line can routinely be achieved. This frees undulator segments that can be used to provide enhanced spectral properties and at the same time, test the concept of FEL Afterburners. In December 2009 a project was initiated to convert undulator segments at the down-beam end of the undulator line into Second Harmonic Afterburners (SHAB) to enhance LCLS radiation levels in the 10 20 keV energy range. This is being accomplished by replacement of gap-shims increasing the fixed gaps from 6.8 mm to 9.9 mm, which reduces their K values from 3.50 to 2.25 and makes the segments resonant at the second harmonic of the upstream unmodified undulators. The paper reports experimental results of the commissioning of the SHAB extension to LCLS.
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
Free Electron Lasers require a variety of beam diagnostics for tuning and feedback. This tutorial will cover radio frequency analog and digital signal processing as used in a variety of instrumentation including beam position, bunch length and arrival time monitors. It will also cover beam profile monitors including wire scanners, fluorescent screens, and optical transition radiation foils, including the issues with coherent emission from high brightness beams. In addition, it will discuss the unique requirements for X-ray instrumentation for existing and future XFELs.