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Yuantao Ding

Publications and source records attributed to Yuantao Ding.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Autonomous operation of the DIAG0 diagnostic line for 6D phase-space monitoring at LCLS-II

Characterizing the full 6-dimensional phase-space distribution of beams from the LCLS-II photoinjector is essential for understanding and optimizing downstream accelerator performance. Long-term monitoring of this distribution is equally important for detecting drifts in machine state and implementing timely corrective actions. Continuous phase space characterization during routine operation demands reliable tomographic diagnostic measurements and fast, efficient reconstruction methods. In this work, we demonstrate the first fully autonomous 6-dimensional beam-tomography system deployed on the DIAG0 parasitic beamline at LCLS-II. Using machine-learning-based control algorithms, the system autonomously configures DIAG0 and executes tomographic manipulations within operational constraints, adaptively re-optimizing beamline parameters and scan ranges in response to changes in the incoming beam. Tomographic measurements are streamed to the S3DF computing cluster where generative analysis methods reconstruct the phase-space distribution. We demonstrate that this framework produces detailed 6-dimensional beam reconstructions at a cadence of one reconstruction every 5 to 10 minutes, enabling real-time, multi-hour monitoring of injector beam evolution with unprecedented fidelity. These results represent a significant step toward fully autonomous operation of accelerator beamlines with real-time beam diagnostics for current and next-generation accelerator facilities.

physics.acc-ph

Advanced Control of Electron Beams: Tailoring X-ray Production with Programmable Laser Shaping

Leveraging the full scientific capabilities of next-generation high-repetition-rate free-electron lasers requires programmable control over electron-beam properties at their source. The photoinjector drive laser defines the electron beam's initial six-dimensional phase-space distribution, yet has historically been limited to Gaussian or static flat-top profiles, with most manipulation occurring downstream. Here we demonstrate software-programmable ultraviolet pulse shaping at the LCLS-II photoinjector as a source-level actuator that complements traditional accelerator controls. Using a coupled architecture combining dispersion-controlled nonlinear frequency conversion with spatial-light-modulator spectral shaping, we generate user-defined temporal structures and observe their imprint on electron bunches through high-resolution time-domain diagnostics. Laser-imposed multi-peaked modulation persists through acceleration, magnetic compression, and undulator transport with shot-to-shot repeatability, producing clearly resolved current structure in the compressed beam. Variance-based reconstruction from transverse deflecting cavity measurements reveals structured X-ray emission profiles exhibiting temporal features consistent with the programmed laser waveform. By providing rapid, software-controlled reconfiguration of electron-beam initial conditions, this source-level control approach establishes a programmable upstream actuator for future adaptive optimization and autonomous facility operation at high-repetition-rate light sources.

physics.acc-ph

Upstream Laser-based Longitudinal Enhancement of Relativistic Photoelectrons

Controlling the longitudinal phase space of high-brightness relativistic electron beams is crucial for advancing a broad spectrum of charged-particle-based instrumentation and scientific frontiers. A generalized method for achieving this control involves manipulating the photoemission laser's temporal distribution at the picosecond level, a long-standing technical challenge. Recent developments in laser shaping have enabled the creation of high-power, picosecond-scale symmetrical and asymmetrical temporal profiles, capable of fine-tuning complex space-charge dynamics and external field effects in relativistic charged-particle beams. Here, we demonstrate that rather than deviations from theorized, idealized laser distributions, a controlled asymmetry can be harnessed to counteract accelerator-induced distortions. By implementing spatiotemporal shaping of the ultraviolet photocathode laser at the LCLS-II superconducting injector, we achieve deterministic control over the longitudinal phase space without downstream corrections. We find that this optical asymmetry induces a self-linearizing effect across both low (40 pC) and high (80 pC) charge regimes, effectively suppressing nonlinear compression and energy chirp. Consequently, this approach is expected to preserve a low emittance comparable to that of ideal flattop or regular Gaussian profiles, while delivering superior current uniformity and shot-to-shot stability. These results establish spatiotemporal laser shaping as a compact, generalizable tool for directly optimizing beam brightness at the source.

physics.optics

Beam Halo Formation via Longitudinal-Transverse Coupling in Continuous-Wave Photoinjectors

Beam halo formation poses a critical challenge for high-repetition-rate continuous-wave (CW) free-electron lasers (FELs), directly affecting beam quality and machine protection, as observed during the LCLS-II commissioning. We identify and experimentally validate a previously unrecognized three-step mechanism for halo generation in the photoinjector, arising from coupled longitudinal-transverse dynamics in the low-energy beam. Theoretical analysis reveals that (i) the RF buncher induces an energy-radius correlation, (ii) velocity bunching transforms this correlation into hollowed density structures in the bunch head and tail, and (iii) differential overfocusing of these hollowed regions by downstream focusing forms the observed halo. This mechanism is confirmed by particle-in-cell simulations and direct experimental measurements, including controlled formation of a core-ring profile via solenoid tuning. The results establish the physical origin of the halo and demonstrate a mitigation via buncher compression tuning that reduces halo and downstream loss, supporting sustained high-repetition-rate FEL operation.

physics.acc-ph

Experimental demonstration of attosecond hard X-ray pulses

We present the first direct experimental confirmation of attosecond pulse generation in the hard X-ray regime with a free-electron laser. Our experiment is based on measurements of a nonlinear optical phenomenon known as amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from 3d transition metals. By analyzing the yield of the collective X-ray fluorescence induced by ultrashort pulses at the Linac Coherent Light Source, we identify the generation of attosecond pulses and shot-to-shot fluctuations in their duration, ranging from 100 as to 400 as. The observed product of bandwidth and pulse duration for 100 as pulses is approximately 2 fs$\cdot$eV, indicating the generation of nearly transform-limited pulses. Our results extend the photon energy reach of attosecond techniques by one order of magnitude, providing the ability to simultaneously probe matter on the time-scales of electronic phenomena and with atomic spatial resolution. Furthermore, attosecond hard X-ray pulses can outrun the fastest radiation damage processes, paving the way to single-shot damage-free X-ray measurements.

physics.optics

Nonlinearly Shaped Pulses in Photoinjectors and Free-Electron Lasers

Photoinjectors and Free Electron Lasers (FEL) are amongst the most advanced systems in accelerator physics and have consistently pushed the boundaries of emittance and x-ray peak power. In this paper, laser shaping at the cathode is proposed to further lower the emittance and reduce electron beam tails, which would result in brighter x-ray production. Using dispersion controlled nonlinear shaping (DCNS), laser pulses and beam dynamics were simulated in LCLS-II. The photoinjector emittance was optimized and the resulting e-beam profiles were then simulated and optimized in the linac. Finally, the expected FEL performance is estimated and compared to the current technology: Gaussian laser pulses on the cathode. The e-beams produced by DCNS pulses show a potential for 35% increase in x-ray power per pulse during SASE when compared to the standard Gaussian laser pulses.

physics.acc-ph

Multiplexed Photoinjector Optimization for High-Repetition-Rate Free-Electron Lasers

The multiplexing capabilities of superconducting X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) have gained much attention in recent years. The demanding requirements for photon properties from multiple undulator lines necessitate more flexible beam manipulation techniques to achieve the goal of "beam on demand". In this paper, we investigate a multiplexed configuration for the photoinjector of high-repetition-rate FELs that aims to simultaneously provide low-emittance electron beams of different charges. A parallel, multi-objective genetic algorithm is implemented for the photoinjector parameter optimization. The proposed configuration could drastically enhance the flexibility of beam manipulation to improve multiplexing capabilities and realize the full potential of the facility.

physics.acc-ph

An analytical backtracking method for electron beam longitudinal phase space shaping

Many applications of high brightness, highly relativistic electron beams carry strict requirements on longitudinal phase space quality. To meet these requirements, accelerator systems typically utilize dispersive elements to manipulate the correlated energy spread acquired during acceleration or via collective effects. The many free variables in these systems make finding an optimal configuration difficult. We present here an analytical method for tracking a desired final longitudinal phase space backwards through an accelerator section composed of an acceleration or drift section followed by a dispersive section, including analytical models of pertinent collective effects. This backtracking can serve as a fast and accurate tool for optimization and study of the longitudinal phase space dynamics of an accelerator system. Here, we consider the LCLS-II accelerator as an example case, using this method to find an accelerator configuration and longitudinal phase space at the injector exit that lead to a significant increase in peak current while maintaining a narrow energy spread at the accelerator exit. The validity of this method is tested by comparison with Elegant simulations, showing good agreement.

physics.acc-ph

Octupole based current horn suppresion in multi-stage bunch compression with emittance growth correction

High brightness linear accelerators typically produce electron beams with peaks in the head and/or tail of the current profile. These current horns are formed after bunch compression due to non-linear correlations in the longitudinal phase space and the higher order optics of the compressor. It has been suggested that this higher order compression can be corrected by inserting an octupole magnet near the center of a bunch compressor. However, this scheme provides a correlated transverse kick leading to growth of the projected emittance. We present here a method whereby octupole magnets are inserted into two sequential bunch compressors. By tuning a $\pi$ betatron phase advance between the two octupoles, the correlated transverse kick from the first octupole can be corrected by the second, while providing a cummulative adjustment of the higher order compression.

physics.acc-ph

Temporal X-ray Reconstruction using Temporal and Spectral Measurements at LCLS

Transverse deflecting structures (TDS) are widely used in accelerator physics to measure the longitudinal density of particle bunches. When used in combination with a dispersive section, the whole longitudinal phase space density can be imaged. At the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), the installation of such a device downstream of the undulators enables the reconstruction of the X-ray temporal intensity profile by comparing longitudinal phase space distributions with lasing on and lasing off. However, the resolution of this TDS is limited to around 1 fs rms (root mean square), and therefore, it is not possible to resolve single self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) spikes within one X-ray photon pulse. By combining the power spectrum from a high resolution photon spectrometer and the temporal structure from the TDS, the overall resolution is enhanced, thus allowing the observation of temporal, single SASE spikes. The combined data from the spectrometer and the TDS is analyzed using an iterative algorithm to obtain the actual intensity profile. In this paper, we present some improvements to the reconstruction algorithm as well as real data taken at LCLS.

physics.acc-ph

Self-Seeded FEL Wavelength Extension with High-Gain Harmonic Generation

We study a self-seeded high-gain harmonic generation (HGHG) free-electron laser (FEL) scheme to extend the wavelength of a soft X-ray FEL. This scheme uses a regular self-seeding monochromator to generate a seed laser at the wavelength of 1.52 nm, followed by a HGHG configuration to produce coherent, narrow-bandwidth harmonic radiations at the GW level. The 2nd and 3rd harmonic radiation are investigated with start-to-end simulations. Detailed studies on the FEL performance and shot-to-shot fluctuations are presented.

physics.acc-ph

Toward a single mode Free Electron Laser for coherent hard x-ray experiments

The fluctuations of the longitudinal coherence length expected from the world's first hard X-ray Free Electron Laser, the Linac Coherent Light Source, are investigated. We analyze, on a shot-to-shot basis, series of power spectra generated from 1D-FEL simulations. We evaluate how the intrinsic noise in the spectral profile of the X-ray beam reflects on its longitudinal coherence length. We show that the spectral stability of the LCLS beam will allow coherent X-ray experiments with a reasonable acquisition time. We also propose a scheme to deliver single-mode X-ray radiation using a narrow bandpass monochromator.

physics.ins-det

Statistical Analysis of Crossed Undulator for Polarization Control in a SASE FEL

There is a growing interest in producing intense, coherent x-ray radiation with an adjustable and arbitrary polarization state. In this paper, we study the crossed undulator scheme (K.-J. Kim, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A {\bf 445}, 329 (2000)) for rapid polarization control in a self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) free electron laser (FEL). Because a SASE source is a temporally chaotic light, we perform a statistical analysis on the state of polarization using FEL theory and simulations. We show that by adding a small phase shifter and a short (about 1.3 times the FEL power gain length), $90^\circ$ rotated planar undulator after the main SASE planar undulator, one can obtain circularly polarized light -- with over 80% polarization -- near the FEL saturation.

physics.acc-ph

Optical Klystron Enhancement to SASE X-ray FELs

The optical klystron enhancement to self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) free electron lasers (FELs) is studied in theory and in simulations. In contrast to a seeded FEL, the optical klystron gain in a SASE FEL is not sensitive to any phase mismatch between the radiation and the microbunched electron beam. The FEL performance with the addition of four optical klystrons located at the undulator long breaks in the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) shows significant improvement if the uncorrelated energy spread at the undulator entrance can be controlled to a very small level. In addition, FEL saturation at shorter x-ray wavelengths (around 1.0 Å) within the LCLS undulator length becomes possible. We also discuss the application of the optical klystron in a compact x-ray FEL design that employs relatively low electron beam energy together with a short-period undulator.

physics.acc-ph