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Design considerations for table-top, laser-based VUV and X-ray free electron lasers

F. Grüner·S. Becker·U. Schramm·T. Eichner·M. Fuchs·R. Weingartner·D. Habs·J. Meyer-ter-Vehn·M. Geissler·M. Ferrario·L. Serafini·B. van der Geer·H. Backe·W. Lauth·S. Reiche
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Abstract

A recent breakthrough in laser-plasma accelerators, based upon ultrashort high-intensity lasers, demonstrated the generation of quasi-monoenergetic GeV-electrons. With future Petawatt lasers ultra-high beam currents of ~100 kA in ~10 fs can be expected, allowing for drastic reduction in the undulator length of free-electron-lasers (FELs). We present a discussion of the key aspects of a table-top FEL design, including energy loss and chirps induced by space-charge and wakefields. These effects become important for an optimized table-top FEL operation. A first proof-of-principle VUV case is considered as well as a table-top X-ray-FEL which may open a brilliant light source also for new ways in clinical diagnostics.

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F. Grüner, S. Becker, U. Schramm, T. Eichner, M. Fuchs, R. Weingartner, D. Habs, J. Meyer-ter-Vehn, M. Geissler, M. Ferrario, L. Serafini, B. van der Geer, H. Backe, W. Lauth, S. Reiche. 2006-12-13. Design considerations for table-top, laser-based VUV and X-ray free electron lasers. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2565-7

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