Observation of copious emission at the fundamental frequency by a Smith-Purcell free-electron laser with sidewalls

Journal Article · Mon Mar 26 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3696381· OSTI ID:22025485

Gardelle, J; Modin, P ^[1]; Donohue, J T ^[2]

---

1. CEA, CESTA, F-33114 Le Barp (France)
2. Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Bordeaux-Gradignan, Universite Bordeaux 1, CNRS/IN2P3, BP 120, 33175 Gradignan (France)

An experiment at microwave frequencies confirms the recent prediction that a Smith-Purcell [S. J. Smith and E. M. Purcell, Phys. Rev. 92, 1069 (1953)] free-electron laser equipped with sidewalls can emit radiation at the frequency of the surface wave. The power output is considerably greater than for the previously observed emission at the second harmonic, in agreement with three-dimensional simulations. The dependence of frequency on beam energy and emission angle is in good agreement with three-dimensional theory and simulations. Provided that a reduction in scale can be achieved, a path is open to coherent Smith-Purcell radiation at terahertz frequency.

• OSTI ID: 22025485
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 100; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FREE ELECTRON LASERS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
THZ RANGE
WAVE PROPAGATION