arXiv subjects

Evgeni Saldin

Publications and source records attributed to Evgeni Saldin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Production of transform-limited X-ray pulses through self-seeding at the European X-ray FEL

An important goal for any advanced X-ray FEL is an option for providing Fourier-limited X-ray pulses. In this way, no monochromator is needed in the experimental hall. Self-seeding is a promising approach to significantly narrow the SASE bandwidth to produce nearly transform-limited pulses. These are important for many experiments including 3D diffraction imaging. We discuss the implementation of a single-crystal self-seeding scheme in the hard X-ray lines of the European XFEL. For this facility, transform-limited pulses are particularly valuable since they naturally support the extraction of more FEL power than at saturation by exploiting tapering in the tunable-gap baseline undulators. Tapering consists of a stepwise change of the undulator gap from segment to segment. Based on start-to-end simulations dealing with the up-to-date parameters of the European XFEL, we show that the FEL power reaches about 400 GW, or one order of magnitude higher power than the SASE saturation level (20 GW). This analysis indicates that our self-seeding scheme is not significantly affected by non-ideal electron phase-space distribution, and yields about the same performance as in the case for an electron beam with ideal parameters. The self-seeding scheme with a single crystal monochromator is extremely compact (about 5 m long), and cost estimations are low enough to consider adding it to the European XFEL capabilities from the very beginning of the operation phase.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Scheme for generating and transporting THz radiation to the X-ray experimental floor at the LCLS baseline

This paper describes a novel scheme for integrating a coherent THz source in the baseline of the LCLS facility. Any method relying on the spent electron beam downstream of the baseline undulator should provide a way of transporting the radiation up to the experimental floor. Here we propose to use the dump area access maze. In this way the THz output must propagate with limited size at least for one hundred meters in a maze, following many turns, to reach the near experimental hall. The use of a standard, discrete, open beam-waveguide formed by periodic reflectors, that is a mirror guide, would lead to unacceptable size of the system. To avoid these problems, in this paper we propose an alternative approach based on periodically spaced metallic screens with holes. This quasi-optical transmission line is referred to as an iris line. We present complete calculations for the iris line using both analytical and numerical methods, which we find in good agreement. We present a design of a THz edge radiation source based on the use of an iris line. The proposed setup takes almost no cost nor time to be implemented at the LCLS baseline, and can be used at other facilities as well. The edge radiation source is limited in maximally achievable field strength at the sample. An extension based on the use of an undulator in the presence of the iris line, which is feasible at the LCLS energies, is proposed as a possible upgrade of the baseline THz source.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Circular polarization control for the European XFEL in the soft X-ray regime

The possibility of producing highly circularly polarized X-ray radiation, especially in the soft X-ray region, is an important asset at XFELs. However, the baseline of the European XFEL, including the soft X-ray SASE3 line, foresees planar undulators only. The lowest-risk strategy for implementing polarization control at SASE3 involves adding an APPLE II-type undulator at the end of the planar undulator, to exploit the microbunching from the baseline FEL. 5m-long APPLE II undulators are standard devices at synchrotrons. However, the choice of a short helical radiator leads to the problem of background suppression. The driving idea of our proposal is that the background radiation can be suppressed by spatial filtering. Slits can be inserted behind the APPLE II radiator, where the linearly-polarized radiation spot size is about 30 times larger than the radiation spot size from the helical radiator. The last 7 cells of the SASE3 undulator are left with an open gap in order to provide a total 42 m drift section for electron beam and radiation. The linearly-polarized radiation spot size increases along the drift, and the linearly polarized background radiation can be suppressed by the slits. At the same time, the microbunch structure is preserved. 100GW level coherent radiation is emitted in the helical radiator. The filtering setup consists of a pair of water cooled slits for X-ray beam filtering and of a 5m-long magnetic chicane, creating an offset for slit installation immediately behind the helical radiator. Electrons and X-rays are separated before the slits by the chicane, and the electron beam can pass by the filtering setup without perturbations. Based on start-to-end simulations we present calculations from the SASE3 undulator entrance up to the radiator exit including the modulated electron beam transport by the FODO focusing system in the low charge (20pC) mode of operation.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Microbunch preserving in-line system for an APPLE II helical radiator at the LCLS baseline

In a previous work we proposed a scheme for polarization control at the LCLS baseline, which exploited the microbunching from the planar undulator. After the baseline undulator, the electron beam is transported through a drift by a FODO focusing system, and through a short helical radiator. The microbunching structure can be preserved, and intense coherent radiation is emitted in the helical undulator at fundamental harmonic. The driving idea of this proposal is that the background linearly-polarized radiation from the baseline undulator is suppressed by spatial filtering. Filtering is achieved by letting radiation and electron beam through Be slits upstream of the helical radiator, where the radiation spot size is about ten times larger than the electron beam transverse size. Several changes considered in the present paper were made to improve the previous design. Slits are now placed immediately behind the helical radiator. The advantage is that the electron beam can be spoiled by the slits, and narrower slits width can be used for spatial filtering. Due to this fundamental reason, the present setup is shorter than the previous one. The helical radiator is now placed immediately behind the SHAB undulator. It is thus sufficient to use the existing FODO focusing system of the SHAB undulator for transporting the modulated electron beam. This paper presents complete GENESIS code calculations for the new design, starting from the baseline undulator entrance up to the helical radiator exit including the modulated electron beam transport by the SHAB FODO focusing system.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

The effects of betatron motion on the preservation of FEL microbunching

In some options for circular polarization control at X-ray FELs, a helical radiator is placed a few ten meters distance behind the baseline undulator. If the microbunch structure induced in the baseline (planar) undulator can be preserved, intense coherent radiation is emitted in the helical radiator. The effects of betatron motion on the preservation of micro bunching in such in-line schemes should be accounting for. In this paper we present a comprehensive study of these effects. It is shown that one can work out an analytical expression for the debunching of an electron beam moving in a FODO lattice, strictly valid in the asymptote for a FODO cell much shorter than the betatron function. Further on, numerical studies can be used to demonstrate that the validity of such analytical expression goes beyond the above-mentioned asymptote, and can be used in much more a general context. Finally, a comparison with Genesis simulations is given.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Gas-filled cell as a narrow bandwidth bandpass filter in the VUV wavelength range

We propose a method for spectrally filtering radiation in the VUV wavelength range by means of a monochromator constituted by a cell filled with a resonantly absorbing rare gas. Around particular wavelengths, the gas exhibits narrow-bandwidth absorbing resonances following the Fano profile. In particular, within the photon energy range 60 eV - 65 eV, the correlation index of the Fano profiles for the photo-ionization spectra in Helium is equal to unity, meaning that the minimum of the cross-section is exactly zero. For sufficiently large column density in the gas cell, the spectrum of the incoming radiation will be attenuated by the background cross-section of many orders of magnitude, except for those wavelengths close to the point where the cross-section is zero. Remarkable advantages of a gas monochromator based on this principle are simplicity, efficiency and narrow-bandwidth. A gas monochromator installed in the experimental hall of a VUV SASE FEL facility would enable the delivery of a single-mode VUV laser beam. The design is identical to that of already existing gas attenuator systems for VUV or X-ray FELs. We present feasibility study and exemplifications for the FLASH facility in the VUV regime.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Self-seeding scheme with gas monochromator for narrow-bandwidth soft X-ray FELs

Self-seeding schemes, consisting of two undulators with a monochromator in between, aim at reducing the bandwidth of SASE X-ray FELs. We recently proposed to use a new method of monochromatization exploiting a single crystal in Bragg-transmission geometry for self-seeding in the hard X-ray range. Here we consider a possible extension of this method to the soft X-ray range using a cell filled with resonantly absorbing gas as monochromator. The transmittance spectrum in the gas exhibits an absorbing resonance with narrow bandwidth. Then, similarly to the hard X-ray case, the temporal waveform of the transmitted radiation pulse is characterized by a long monochromatic wake. In fact, the FEL pulse forces the gas atoms to oscillate in a way consistent with a forward-propagating, monochromatic radiation beam. The radiation power within this wake is much larger than the equivalent shot noise power in the electron bunch. Further on, the monochromatic wake of the radiation pulse is combined with the delayed electron bunch and amplified in the second undulator. The proposed setup is extremely simple, and composed of as few as two simple elements. These are the gas cell, to be filled with noble gas, and a short magnetic chicane. The installation of the magnetic chicane does not perturb the undulator focusing system and does not interfere with the baseline mode of operation. In this paper we assess the features of gas monochromator based on the use of He and Ne. We analyze the processes in the monochromator gas cell and outside it, touching upon the performance of the differential pumping system as well. We study the feasibility of using the proposed self-seeding technique to generate narrow bandwidth soft X-ray radiation in the LCLS-II soft X-ray beam line. We present conceptual design, technical implementation and expected performances of the gas monochromator self-seeding scheme.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Improvement of the crossed undulator design for effective circular polarization control in X-ray FELs

The production of X-ray radiation with a high degree of circular polarization constitutes an important goal at XFEL facilities. A simple scheme to obtain circular polarization control with crossed undulators has been proposed so far. In its simplest configuration the crossed undulators consist of pair of short planar undulators in crossed position separated by an electromagnetic phase shifter. An advantage of this configuration is a fast helicity switching. A drawback is that a high degree of circular polarization (over 90%) can only be achieved for lengths of the insertion devices significantly shorter than the gain length, i.e. at output power significantly lower than the saturation power level. The obvious and technically possible extension considered in this paper, is to use a setup with two or more crossed undulators separated by phase shifters. This cascade crossed undulator scheme is distinguished, in performance, by a fast helicity switching, a high degree of circular polarization (over 95%) and a high output power level, comparable with the saturation power level in the baseline undulator at fundamental wavelength. We present feasibility study and exemplifications for the LCLS baseline in the soft X-ray regime.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Circular polarization control for the LCLS baseline in the soft X-ray regime

The LCLS baseline includes a planar undulator system, producing linearly polarized light in the range 0.15-1.5 nm. Polarization control in the soft X-ray region from linear to circular is highly desirable. Several schemes using helical undulators have been discussed for the LCLS. One consists in replacing three of the last planar undulator segments by APPLE III. A second proposal, the 2nd harmonic helical afterburner, uses short, crossed undulators tuned to the second harmonic. This last scheme is expected to be the better one. Its advantages are a high and stable degree of circular polarization and a low cost. Its disadvantage is a small output power and a narrow wavelength range. We propose a novel method to generate 10 GW level power at the fundamental harmonic with 99% degree of circular polarization from the LCLS baseline. Its merits are low cost, simplicity and easy implementation. After the baseline undulator, the electron beam is sent through a 40 m long straight section, and subsequently passes through a short APPLE II radiator. The microbunch structure is easily preserved, and intense coherent radiation is emitted in the helical radiator. The background radiation from the baseline undulator is suppressed by letting radiation and electrons through horizontal and vertical slits upstream the helical radiator, where the radiation spot size is about ten times larger than the electron bunch transverse size. Using thin Beryllium foils for the slits the divergence of the electron beam halo increases by Coulomb scattering, but the beam will propagate through the setup without electron losses. The applicability of our method is not restricted to the LCLS baseline setup. LCLS II or the European XFEL may benefit from this work as well, due to availability of sufficiently long free space at the end of undulator tunnel.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Self-seeded operation of the LCLS hard X-ray FEL in the long-bunch mode

Self-seeding options for the LCLS baseline were recently investigated using a scheme which relies on a single-crystal monochromator in Bragg-transmission geometry. The LCLS low-charge (0.02 nC) mode of operation was considered in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme. The wakefield effects from the linac and from the undulator vacuum chamber are much reduced at such low charge, and can be ignored. In this paper we extend our previous investigations to the case of the LCLS mode of operation with nominal charge. Based on the LCLS start-to-end simulation for an electron beam charge of 0.25 nC, and accounting for the wakefields from the undulator vacuum chamber we demonstrate that the same simplest self-seeding system (two undulators with a single-crystal monochromator in between) is appropriate not only for short (few femtosecond) bunches, but for longer bunches too.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Generation of doublet spectral lines at self-seeded X-ray FELs

Self-seeding schemes, consisting of two undulators with a monochromator in between, aim to reduce the bandwidth of SASE X-ray FELs. We recently proposed a new method of monochromatization exploiting a single crystal in Bragg-transmission geometry for self-seeding in the hard X-ray range. A straightforward extension is to use such kind of monochromator setup with two -or more- crystals arranged in a series to spectrally filter the SASE radiation at two closely-spaced wavelengths within the FEL gain band. This allows for the production of doublet -or multiplet- spectral lines. Applications involve any process with a large change in cross section over a narrow wavelength range, as in multiple wavelength anomalous diffraction. Here we consider the simultaneous operation of the LCLS hard X-ray FEL at two closely spaced wavelengths. We present simulation results for the LCLS baseline, yielding fully coherent radiation shared between two longitudinal modes. Mode spacing can be easily tuned within the FEL gain band. The XFEL output intensity contains an oscillating "mode-beat" component whose frequency is related to the frequency difference between the pair of longitudinal modes considered. At saturation one obtains FEL-induced modulations of energy loss and energy spread in the electron bunch at optical frequency, which can be converted into density modulation at the same optical frequency using a weak chicane installed behind the baseline undulator. Powerful coherent radiation can then be generated with the help of an optical transition radiation (OTR) station. We also consider how the doublet structure of the XFEL generation spectra can be monitored by an optical spectrometer. The OTR coherent radiation pulse is naturally synchronized with the X-ray pulses, and can be used for timing the XFEL to high power conventional lasers with femtosecond accuracy for pump-probe applications.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Way to increase the user access at the LCLS baseline

The LCLS beam is meant for a single user, but the baseline undulator is long enough to serve two users simultaneously. To this end, we propose a setup composed of two elements: an X-ray mirrors pair for X-ray beam deflection, and a 4 m-long magnetic chicane, which creates an offset for mirrors pair installation in the middle of the baseline undulator. The insertable mirrors pair can separate spatially the X-ray beams generated in the first and in the second half of the baseline undulator. Rapid switching of the FEL amplification process allows deactivating one half and activating another half of the undulator. As proposed elsewhere, using a kicker installed upstream of the LCLS baseline undulator and an already existing corrector in the first half of the undulator, it is possible to rapidly switch the X-ray beam from one user to another. We present simulation results for the LCLS baseline, and show that it is possible to generate two saturated SASE X-ray beams in the whole 0.8-8 keV photon energy range in the same baseline undulator. These can serve two users. Our technique does not perturb the baseline mode of operation of the LCLS undulator. Also, the magnetic chicane setup is very flexible, and can be used as a self-seeding setup too. We present simulation results for the LCLS baseline undulator with SHAB. One can produce monochromatic radiation at the 2nd harmonic as well as at the 1st. We describe an efficient way for obtaining multi-user operation at the LCLS hard X-ray FEL. To this end, a photon beam distribution system based on the use of crystals in the Bragg reflection geometry is proposed. The reflectivity of crystal deflectors can be switched fast enough by flipping the crystals with piezoelectric devices. Monochromatic hard X-rays can then be distributed among 6 independent experiments, thereby enabling 6 users to work in parallel in the near and far experimental halls.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Cost-effective way to enhance the capabilities of the LCLS baseline

This paper discusses the potential for enhancing the LCLS hard X-ray FEL capabilities. In the hard X-ray regime, a high longitudinal coherence will be the key to such performance upgrade. The method considered here to obtain high longitudinal coherence is based on a novel single-bunch self-seeding scheme exploiting a single crystal monochromator, which is extremely compact and can be straightforwardly installed in the LCLS baseline undulator. We present simulation results dealing with the LCLS hard X-ray FEL, and show that this method can produce fully-coherent X-ray pulses at 100 GW power level. With the radiation beam monochromatized down to the Fourier transform limit, a variety of very different techniques leading to further improvements of the LCLS performance become feasible. In particular, we describe an efficient way for obtaining full polarization control at the LCLS hard X-ray FEL. We also propose to exploit crystals in the Bragg reflection geometry as movable deflectors for the LCLS X-ray transport systems. The hard X-ray beam can be deflected of an angle of order of a radian without perturbations. The monochromatization of the output radiation constitutes the key for reaching such result. Finally, we describe a new optical pump - hard X-ray probe technique which will allow time-resolved studies at the LCLS baseline on the femtosecond time scale. The principle of operation of the proposed scheme is essentially based on the use of the time jitter between pump and probe pulses. This eliminates the need for timing XFELs to high-power conventional lasers with femtosecond accuracy.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Scheme for generation of fully-coherent, TW power level hard X-ray pulses from baseline undulators at the European X-ray FEL

The most promising way to increase the output power of an X-ray FEL (XFEL) is by tapering the magnetic field of the undulator. Also, significant increase in power is achievable by starting the FEL process from a monochromatic seed rather than from noise. This report proposes to make use of a cascade self-seeding scheme with wake monochromators in a tunable-gap baseline undulator at the European XFEL to create a source capable of delivering coherent radiation of unprecedented characteristics at hard X-ray wavelengths. Compared with SASE X-ray FEL parameters, the radiation from the new source has three truly unique aspects: complete longitudinal and transverse coherence, and a peak brightness three orders of magnitude higher than what is presently available at LCLS. Additionally, the new source will generate hard X-ray beam at extraordinary peak (TW) and average (kW) power level. The proposed source can thus revolutionize fields like single biomolecule imaging, inelastic scattering and nuclear resonant scattering. The self-seeding scheme with the wake monochromator is extremely compact, and takes almost no cost and time to be implemented. The upgrade proposed in this paper could take place during the commissioning stage of the European XFEL, opening a vast new range of applications from the very beginning of operations. We present feasibility study and examplifications for the SASE2 line of the European XFEL.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Cascade self-seeding scheme with wake monochromator for narrow-bandwidth X-ray FELs

Three different approaches have been proposed so far for production of highly monochromatic X-rays from a baseline XFEL undulator: (i) single-bunch self-seeding scheme with a four crystal monochromator in Bragg reflection geometry; (ii) double-bunch self-seeding scheme with a four-crystal monochromator in Bragg reflection geometry; (iii) single-bunch self-seeding scheme with a wake monochromator. A unique element of the X-ray optical design of the last scheme is the monochromatization of X-rays using a single crystal in Bragg-transmission geometry. A great advantage of this method is that the monochromator introduces no path delay of X-rays. This fact eliminates the need for a long electron beam bypass, or for the creation of two precisely separated, identical electron bunches, as required in the other two self-seeding schemes. In its simplest configuration, the self-seeded XFEL consists of an input undulator and an output undulator separated by a monochromator. In some experimental situations this simplest two-undulator configuration is not optimal. The obvious and technically possible extension is to use a setup with three or more undulators separated by monochromators. This amplification-monochromatization cascade scheme is distinguished, in performance, by a small heat-loading of crystals and a high spectral purity of the output radiation. This paper describes such cascade self-seeding scheme with wake monochromators. We present feasibility study and exemplifications for the SASE2 line of the European XFEL.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

A simple method for controlling the line width of SASE X-ray FELs

This paper describes a novel single-bunch self-seeding scheme for generating highly monochromatic X-rays from a baseline XFEL undulator. Previous schemes made use of a four-crystal fixed-exit monochromator in Bragg geometry. In such monochromator the X-ray pulse acquires a cm-long path delay, which must be compensated. For a single-bunch self-seeding scheme this requires a long electron beam bypass, implying modifications of the baseline undulator configuration. To avoid this problem, a double bunch self-seeding scheme based on a special photoinjector setup was recently proposed. At variance, here we propose a new time-domain method of monochromatization exploiting a single crystal in the transmission direction, thus avoiding the problem of extra-path delay for the X-ray pulse. The method can be realized using a temporal windowing technique, requiring a magnetic delay for the electron bunch only. The proposed setup is extremely simple and composed of as few as two simple elements. These are the crystal and the short magnetic chicane, which accomplishes three tasks by itself. It creates an offset for crystal installation, it removes the electron micro-bunching produced in the first undulator, and it acts as a delay line for temporal windowing. Using a single crystal installed within a short magnetic chicane in the baseline undulator, it is possible to decrease the bandwidth of the radiation well beyond the XFEL design down to 10E-5. The installation of the magnetic chicane does not perturb the undulator focusing system and does not interfere with the baseline mode of operation. We present feasibility study and exemplifications for the SASE2 line of the European XFEL.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Scheme for generation of highly monochromatic X-rays from a baseline XFEL undulator

One goal of XFEL facilities is the production of narrow bandwidth X-ray radiation. The self-seeding scheme was proposed to obtain a bandwidth narrower than that achievable with conventional X-ray SASE FELs. A self-seeded FEL is composed of two undulators separated by a monochromator and an electron beam bypass that must compensate for the path delay of X-rays in the monochromator. This leads to a long bypass, with a length in the order of 40-60 m, which requires modifications of the baseline undulator configuration. As an attempt to get around this obstacle, together with a study of the self-seeding scheme for the European XFEL, here we propose a novel technique based on a pulse doubler concept. Using a crystal monochromator installed within a short magnetic chicane in the baseline undulator, it is possible to decrease the bandwidth of the radiation well beyond the XFEL design down to 10^(-5). The magnetic chicane can be installed without any perturbation of the XFEL focusing structure, and does not interfere with the baseline mode of operation. We present a feasibility study and we make exemplifications with the parameters of the SASE2 line of the European XFEL.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Control of the amplification process in baseline XFEL undulator with mechanical SASE switchers

The magnetic gap of the baseline XFEL undulators can be varied mechanically for wavelength tuning. In particular, the wavelength range 0.1 nm - 0.4 nm can be covered by operating the European XFEL with the SASE2 undulator. The length of the SASE2 undulator (256.2 m) is sufficient to independently generate three pulses of different radiation wavelengths at saturation. Normally, if a SASE FEL operates in saturation, the quality of the electron beam is too bad for generation of SASE radiation in the subsequent part of undulator which is resonant at a few times longer wavelength. The new method of SASE undulator-switching based on the rapid switching of the FEL amplification process proposed in this paper is an attempt to get around this obstacle. Using mechanical SASE shutters installed within short magnetic chicanes in the baseline undulator, it is possible to rapidly switch the FEL photon beam from one wavelength to another, providing simultaneous multi-color capability. Combining this method with a photon-beam distribution system can provide an efficient way to generate a multi-user facility.

physics.acc-ph↗