SLAC, Menlo Park, California, USA
Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
Coherent diffraction imaging of complex molecules, like proteins, requires a large number of hard X-ray photons, ~10+13/pulse, within a time ~10 fs or less. This is equivalent to a peak power of about one TW, much larger than that currently generated by LCLS or other proposed X-ray FELs. We study the feasibility of producing such pulses from LCLS and the proposed LCLS-II, employing a configuration beginning with a SASE amplifier, followed by a "self-seeding" crystal monochromator [1], and finishing with a long tapered undulator. Results suggest that TW-level output power at 8 keV is possible, with a total undulator length below 200 m. We use a 40 pC electron bunch charge, normalized transverse emittance of 0.2-mm-mrad, peak current of 4 kA, and electron energy about 14 GeV. We present a tapering strategy that extends the original "resonant particle" formalism by optimizing the transport lattice to maximize optical guiding and enhance net energy extraction. We also discuss the transverse and longitudinal coherence properties of the output radiation pulse. Fluctuation of such a tapered FEL is studied with realistic jitter measured at LCLS and with start-to-end simulation.
LBNL, Berkeley, California, USA
UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
POSTECH, Pohang, Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea
We report on the possibility of constructing an infrared FEL by combining a novel design super-conducting undulator developed at LBNL with the high brightness beam from the APEX injector facility at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Calculations show that the resulting FEL is expected to deliver a saturated power of about a MW within a 4 m undulator length when operating in Self-Amplified-Spontaneus-Emission mode, with a single-spike of coherent radiation at 2 μm wavelength. The sub-cm undulator periods, associated with the relatively low energy of the APEX beam (20-25 MeV), forces the FEL to operate in a regime with unusual and interesting characteristics. The alternative option of laser seeding the FEL is also examined, showing the potential to reduce the saturation length even further.
LBNL, Berkeley, California, USA
LLNL, Livermore, California, USA
UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
POSTECH, Pohang, Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea
The APEX project at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is devoted to the development of a high repetition rate (MHz-class) electron injector for X-ray FEL applications. The injector is based on a new concept photo-gun, utilizing a normal conducting 187 MHz RF cavity operating in CW mode in conjunction with high quantum efficiency photocathodes able to deliver the required repetition rates with available laser technology. The APEX activities are staged in two phases. In Phase I, the electron photo-gun is constructed, tested and several different photo-cathodes, such as alkali antimonides, Cs2Te [1], diamond amplifiers [2], and metals, are tested at full repetition rate. In Phase II, a pulsed linac is added for accelerating the beam at several tens of MeV to prove the high brightness performance of the gun when integrated in an injector scheme. Based on funding availability, after Phase II, the program could also include testing of new undulator technologies and FEL studies. The status of Phase I, in its initial experimental phase, is described together with plans and activities for Phase II and beyond.
[1] In collaboration with INFN-LASA, Milano, Italy.
[2] In collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton NY, USA