Development of Ultrafast Capabilities for X-ray Free-Electron Lasers at the Linac Coherent Light source

Program Document · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2019

OSTI ID:1496041

Coffee, Ryan N; Cryan, James P

The ability to produce ultra-short, high-brightness X-ray pulses is revolutionizing the field of ultra-fast X-ray spectroscopy. Free electron laser (FEL) facilities are driving this revolution, but unique aspects of the FEL process make the required characterization and use of the pulses challenging. In this paper, we describe a number of developments in the generation of ultra-short X-ray FEL pulses, and the concomitant progress in the experimental capabilities necessary for their characterization and use at the Linac Coherent Light Source. This includes the development of sub-femtosecond hard and soft X-ray pulses, along with ultra-fast characterization techniques for these pulses. We also describe improved techniques for optical cross-correlation as needed to address the persistent challenge of external optical laser synchronization with these ultra-short X-ray pulses.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 1496041
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English