Equitemporal optics: a method to generate subpicosecond x-ray pulses (abstract)

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1140858· OSTI ID:5906916

Csonka, P L

Certain classes of experiments would benefit from the availability of x-ray pulses of shorter time duration than what can be achieved today. These include accurate measurements of frequency and those of time resolution. One way to generate short x-ray pulses, is to utilize only part of an originally longer train of photons, and discard the rest. This approach is of little help if the phenomenon under study (such as synchrotron radiation pumped x-ray lasers) requires not only short pulses, but also high instantaneous photon intensity. When the time averaged photon intensity cannot be increased, the required threshold for the instantaneous intensity could nevertheless be reached (and the time resolution improved), if the time duration of individual photon pulses could be reduced without losing significant numbers of photons in the process. The term ''equitemporal optics'' denotes a collection of optical elements which can bring about a photon pulse length compression of this type. We demonstrate in general that practical equitemporal optics for x rays requires at least one optical element which is nonstationary. It is also shown that an equitemporal optics can be constructed for x rays by making use of only a single rotating mirror, while all other elements are stationary, provided that at least one of the stationary elements is a reflector. Furthermore, that reflector cannot be a single continuous mirror, but must contain more than one appropriately positioned discontinuous section. The number of sections must not be less than the time compression factor, /ital f//sub /ital t//, by which the original pulse length is to be reduced. Examples of appropriate reflectors are given. An equitemporal design of this type is presented which utilizes such a reflector together with a mirror rotating with a constant angular velocity. The time compression factor of this device is calculated.

• Research Organization: Institute for Theoretical Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-5203 (US)
• OSTI ID: 5906916
• Journal Information: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 60:7; ISSN RSINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
BEAM EMITTANCE
BEAMS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LASERS
MIRRORS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PHOTON BEAMS
PULSE CIRCUITS
PULSE SHAPERS
RADIATIONS
RESOLUTION
SIGNAL CONDITIONERS
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
TIME RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES
X RADIATION
X-RAY LASERS