Microbunching in Relativistic Electron Beams and the Development of X-ray Free-electron Lasers

by Dr Alex Lumpkin (ANL (Ermeritus))

Thursday Dec 4, 2025, 3:00 PM → 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Abstract: 

Microbunching in relativistic electron beams provides the opportunity for generation of coherent radiation at the wavelengths that characterize the periodic longitudinal modulation. Since microbunching is an inherent process in the free-electron laser (FEL) mechanism for both single-pass and oscillator configurations, studies of these properties can elucidate the fundamental interactions. Diagnostics of these microbunched electron beams can be performed using coherent optical transition radiation (COTR) imaging techniques.  Four COTR-based experiments from SASE FELs to recent laser wakefield accelerated beams will be presented followed by comments on some different paths to x-ray FELs

 

slides