Speaker
Description
Development of a high-power, tunable THz source for pump–probe experiments at the European XFEL is currently underway at the Photo Injector Test Facility at DESY in Zeuthen (PITZ). With the present PITZ setup, FEL radiation in the 1–5 THz range can be generated using an LCLS-I undulator. Proof-of-principle experiment has been successfully demonstrated with high-charge electron beams of several nC at ~17 MeV/c, producing a narrow-band ~3 THz radiation*. A key focus of the ongoing program is the controlled transport and matching of several-nC, low-energy electron beams into the undulator, where space-charge effects and beam quality preservation are particularly challenging. Advanced photocathode laser pulse shaping is employed to optimize the longitudinal and transverse beam distributions, enabling improved matching and enhanced FEL performance. To demonstrate tunability, PITZ has also generated FEL radiation at 5 THz. Ongoing experiments aim to maximize the pulse energy at this frequency. A dedicated diagnostic setup has been implemented for comprehensive characterization of the THz radiation.
Funding Agency
European XFEL
Footnotes
*M. Krasilnikov et al., “First high peak and average power single-pass THz free-electron laser in operation”, Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams, vol. 28, p. 030701, 2025.
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