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

Authors

F. Gruner, Max-Planck-Institut für QuantenoptikFollow
Stefan Becker, Universität MunchenFollow
U. Schramm, Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
T. Eichner, LMU München
R. Weingartner, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
D. Habs, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
J. Meyer-ter-Vehn, Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
M. Geissler, Queen's University - Belfast
M. Ferrario, INFN
B. van der Geer, Pulsar Physics
H. Backe, Institute of Nuclear Physics
W. Lauth, Universität MainzFollow
S. Reiche, University of California - Los Angeles

Date of this Version

2007

Document Type

Article

Citation

Published in APPLIED PHYSICS B 86 (2007), pp. 431-435; doi: 10.1007/s00340-006-2565-7 Published online January 27, 2007.

Comments

Copyright 2007 Springer Verlag. Used by permission.

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.