Free-electron lasers with variable parameter wigglers

A general discussion of the free-electron lasers (FEL's) with variable parameter wigglers is presented with a view towards their potential for the production of high power optical radiation at reasonable efficiency. The theoretical analysis is based upon a one-dimensional relativistic Hamiltonian formulation and is developed in a manner to take advantage of the analogy between the FEL process and radio frequency accelerators. Three promising operational modes are identified and analyzed. The first may be thought of as an electron decelerator and is thought to have the most promise for single-pass devices. Both oscillator and amplifier configurations are studied. The second is based upon adiabatic trapping and detrapping, intended to reduce the spread in electron energy typically induced by the FEL process. The third is based upon the method of phase area displacement. It has the advantage of wide gain bandwidth and small induced energy spread, and is thought to have the most promise for storage ring applications. Generally speaking, it is found that high peak power is intrinsic to these modes of operation. Potential problems from parasitic oscillations analogous to the stimulated Raman effect are analyzed, and some others arising from transverse inhomogeneity are identified.

[1]  John M. J. Madey,et al.  Observation of stimulated emission of radiation by relativistic electrons in a spatially periodic transverse magnetic field , 1975 .

[2]  J. Madey.  Relationship between mean radiated energy, mean squared radiated energy and spontaneous power spectrum in a power series expansion of the equations of motion in a free-electron laser , 1979 .

[3]  D. Deacon,et al.  Boltzmann simulation of a storage ring laser , 1979 .

[4]  C. Brau.  Small signal gain of free electron lasers with nonuniform wigglers , 1980 .

[5]  Robert B. Palmer,et al.  INTERACTION OF RELATIVISTIC PARTICLES AND FREE ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES IN THE PRESENCE OF A STATIC HELICAL MAGNET. , 1972 .

[6]  M. Scully,et al.  On velocity narrowing in free-electron lasers using electron echo techniques , 1979 .

[7]  A. Yariv,et al.  Amplification of radiation by relativistic electrons in spatially periodic optical waveguides , 1978 .

[8]  Alberto Renieri,et al.  Free Electron Laser Amplifier Operation in Storage Ring , 1979, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science.

[9]  A. Bambini,et al.  The free electron laser: A single-particle classical model , 1978 .

[10]  R.M. Phillips,et al.  The Ubitron, a high-power traveling-wave tube based on a periodic beam interaction in unloaded waveguide , 1960, IRE Transactions on Electron Devices.

[11]  J.G. Meeker,et al.  Phase focusing in linear-beam devices , 1962, IRE Transactions on Electron Devices.

[12]  A. Renieri,et al.  Storage ring operation of the free-electron laser: The amplifier , 1979 .

[13]  L. Elias,et al.  Monte carlo analysis of a free electron laser in a storage ring , 1980 .

[14]  K. Symon,et al.  METHODS OF RADIO FREQUENCY ACCELERATION IN FIXED FIELD ACCELERATORS WITH APPLICATIONS TO HIGH CURRENT AND INTERSECTING BEAM ACCELERATORS , 1956 .

[15]  L. Elias,et al.  Reducing the sensitivity of a free‐electron laser to electron energy , 1979 .

[16]  John M. J. Madey,et al.  A Free Electron Laser , 1973 .