The effects of accelerator frequency and electron beam focusing in free electron lasers
Authors
Laney, Adrian S.
Advisors
Blau, Joseph
Colson, William
Second Readers
Subjects
FEL, free electron laser, directed energy, superconducting linear accelerator frequency, quadrupole focusing, betatron motion.
Date of Issue
2012-12
Date
Dec-12
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Lowering the frequency in a superconducting accelerator for a free electron laser (FEL) has the potential to reduce the size, cost, and power consumption of the FEL system. A lower frequency also enables the use of longer pulses, which has been shown to improve FEL performance. Using simulation codes developed at the Naval Postgraduate School, the performance of FEL amplifiers and oscillators at several accelerator frequencies is investigated. The results show that both FEL amplifier and oscillator performance can be improved by lowering the accelerator frequency. In addition, a simulation has been developed that tracks electron trajectories through several quadrupole magnets and an FEL undulator. Electron trajectories can directly impact FEL performance, and stray electrons may cause damage or harmful radiation if they strike beamline components. This simulation has potential as a future research and design tool.
Type
Thesis
Description
Outstanding Thesis
Series/Report No
Department
Physics
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined
in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the
public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States
Code, Section 105, is not copyrighted in the U.S.