Self-Amplification of Coherent Energy Modulation in Seeded Free-Electron Lasers

Jiawei Yan et al.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 084801 – Published 23 February 2021
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

The spectroscopic techniques for time-resolved fine analysis of matter require coherent x-ray radiation with femtosecond duration and high average brightness. Seeded free-electron lasers (FELs), which use the frequency up-conversion of an external seed laser to improve temporal coherence, are ideal for providing fully coherent soft x-ray pulses. However, it is difficult to operate seeded FELs at a high repetition rate due to the limitations of present state-of-the-art laser systems. Here, we report a novel self-modulation method for enhancing laser-induced energy modulation, thereby significantly reducing the requirement of an external laser system. Driven by this scheme, we experimentally realize high harmonic generation in a seeded FEL using an unprecedentedly small external laser-induced energy modulation. An electron beam with a laser-induced energy modulation as small as 1.8 times the slice energy spread is used for lasing at the seventh harmonic of a 266-nm seed laser in a single-stage high-gain harmonic generation (HGHG) setup and the 30th harmonic of the seed laser in a two-stage HGHG setup. The results mark a major step toward a high-repetition-rate, fully coherent x-ray FEL.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 5 November 2020
  • Revised 18 January 2021
  • Accepted 3 February 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.084801

© 2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Accelerators & BeamsAtomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Click to Expand

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 126, Iss. 8 — 26 February 2021

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×