Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility FEL industrial applications
The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, a $600 million US Department of Energy national laboratory, serves basic science by carrying out a primary mission of nuclear and particle physics research. A technologically related secondary mission now also exists for Jefferson Lab: applied research to develop superconducting radio-frequency (SRF)-based free-electron lasers as cost-effective new manufacturing capabilities for industry. A number of high-technology corporations and research universities, believing in the potential of SRF-driven FELs to overcome the constraints of cost, capacity, wavelength, and pulse-length, have formed the Laser Processing Consortium, and have joined with Jefferson Lab to develop the needed laser technology. Consortium members plan a range of industrial applications. In the area of polymer surface processing, they intend to develop amorphization to enhance adhesion, fabric surface texturing, enhanced food packaging, and induced surface conductivity. In micromachining, applications are ultrahigh-density CD-ROM technology, surface texturing; micro-optical components, and Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS). In metal surface processing proposed applications are laser glazing for corrosion resistance and adhesion pre-treatments. In electronic materials processing, the authors will investigate large-area processing (flat-panel displays) and a laser-based icluster tool for combined deposition, etching, and in situ diagnostics. The potential commercial value of the technology is significant, impacting several multibillion dollar markets. Moreover, significant additional applications exist in basic and applied research. The FEL is laid out in a racetrack configuration to utilize energy recovery of the spent electron beam. The electrons are produced in a 350 kV DC photocathode gun and accelerated to 10 MeV in a superconducting accelerating unit with 1 meter of active length. The electrons are then accelerated in an SRF cryomodule up to an energy of 57 MeV. In order to minimize emittance-growth effects and to accelerate the commissioning process, the FEL is placed at the exit of the linac. The electron beam is deflected around two cavity mirrors in two magnetica chicanes with a path-length dispersion (M56) of 30 cm. After the FEL, the beam can be recirculated for energy recovery and dumped at the injection energy of 10 MeV. The recirculation loop is based on the isochronous achromat used in the MIT Bates accelerator but designed with an energy acceptance of 6%. They estimate that the power output at 3 {mu}m should be 980 W with a small signal gain of 46%. This paper will explore the technical and economic justification of the design and present the commissioning progress to date.
- Research Organization:
- Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84ER40150
- OSTI ID:
- 754374
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/40150-1373; JLAB-ACC-98-01; TRN: US0002195
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Instrumentation Methods, Vol. B, Issue 144; Other Information: Submitted to Nuclear Instrumentation Methods, Volume B, No.144; 01/01/1998; PBD: 1 Jan 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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