Simulations of an FEL producing coherent X rays utilizing the SLAC linac

Abstract

Due to its tunability and high efficiency, the Free Electron Laser (FEL) has proven to be a versatile coherent light source for a variety of applications in science, industry and defense. This unique capability provides the scientific community with its first realistic source for an X ray laser. This thesis will initially consider the basics of the FEL and its applications as a defensive weapon. In a technological era where the missile has maximized its physical capabilities to the point that defensive missiles are physically incapable of achieving a kill in protection of the fleet, speed of light weapons are the next logical step in defense. Next we shall explore the theory behind the Free Electron Laser and the amplification of a beam of light by transferring energy from an electron beam. In conclusion, we examine the proposal to utilize the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) linac as an electron beam source for a high power X ray FEL 1. Compressing the electron pulse to sub-picosecond length yields a peak current of 2500 amps. An electron beam energy of 7 GeV would result in a radiation wavelength of 4 nm and peak optical power in the gigawatt range. In order to examine this proposal, single-mode phase space simulations are run to look at the effectiveness of electron bunching and the onset of saturation. Longitudinal multimode simulations show coherence development and the trapped-particle instability. Transverse multimode simulations examine the effects of optical guiding and mode distortion