Seminars Archive

SASE FEL experiments at PEGASUS and VISA

Abstract
The self-amplified, spontaneous emission free-electron laser (SASE FEL) has attracted considerable attention in the short wavelength radiation community recently, because of the possibility of employing it to create coherent, sub-picosecond ultra-high brightness x-ray sources. The road to an x-ray FEL, however, has many bumps - consisting of both physical and technical challenges. We review the initial steps taken on this road at by UCLA and its collaborators towards experimental proof of ultra-high gain and its physical basis. The next steps we are taking are in two directions - first, the creation of a dedicated laboratory at UCLA, PEGASUS, for studying SASE FEL saturation at other phenomena in the far infra-red, as well as electron beam source development. In addition, the push to ever shorter wavelengths in the SASE FEL will be made at 800 nm in the VISA experiment at BNL, in which UCLA plays a leading role. The experimental plans, status, and initial results from these experimental programs are reviewed.