Engineering considerations of the advanced free-electron laser facility☆

Abstract The advanced free-electron laser (AFEL) is being built at Los Alamos inside a large existing laboratory building. In addition to cost and available space considerations, several engineering issues affected the design of the AFEL and its facility. The 1300 MHz, 20 MeV electron linac required extensive radiation shielding and a short rf-waveguide run. The free-electron laser (FEL) and photocathode-drive laser optics require a clean, constant temperature environment. New environmental, health, and safety (ESH compliance is now mandatory. The facility design included an earthquake restraint system for the radiation shielding, full compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), and minimization of airborne emissions.