ABSTRACT
An amplitude and phase compensation system has been developed and tested at the University of Hawai'i for the optimization of the RF drive system to the Mark V free-electron laser. Temporal uniformity of the RF drive is essential to the generation of an electron beam suitable for optimal free-electron laser performance and the operation of an inverse Compton scattering x-ray source. The design of the RF measurement and compensation system is described in detail and the results of RF phase compensation are presented. Performance of the free-electron laser was evaluated by comparing the measured effects of phase compensation with the results of a computer simulation. Finally, preliminary results are presented for the effects of amplitude compensation on the performance of the complete system.
ABSTRACT
We report the observation of sub-Poisson intensity fluctuations in the coherent spontaneous harmonic radiation generated by an infrared free-electron laser in a photon counting experiment using a well-defined ensemble of electron pulses. These observations constitute the first observation of a nonclassical state of the radiation field generated by a beam of free electrons. The fluctuations observed in the experiment are smaller than those expected from semiclassical radiation theory, and larger than those expected from electron shot noise.
ABSTRACT
Radiotherapy utilizes photons for treating cancer. Historically these photons have been produced by the bremsstrahlung process. In this paper we introduce Compton backscattering as an alternate method of photon production for cancer treatment. Compton backscattering is a well-established method to produce high-energy photons (gamma rays) for nuclear physics experiments. Compton backscattering involves the collision of a low-energy (eV) photon with a high-energy (hundreds of MeV) electron. It is shown that the photons scattered in the direction opposite to the direction of the initial photon (backscattered) will have the energy desired for photon beam therapy. The output of Compton backscattering is a high-energy photon beam (gamma-ray beam), which is well collimated and has minimal low-energy components. Such gamma beams may be used for conventional high-energy photon treatments, production of radionuclides, and generation of positrons and neutrons. The theoretical basis for this process is reviewed and Monte Carlo calculations of dose profiles for peak energies of 7, 15, and 30 MeV are presented. The potential advantages of the Compton process and its future role in radiotherapy will be discussed.
Subject(s)
Photons/therapeutic use , Radiotherapy, High-Energy/methods , Scattering, Radiation , Biophysical Phenomena , Biophysics , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Monte Carlo Method , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted , Technology, RadiologicABSTRACT
Tunable second- and fourth-harmonic radiation was generated in a single 1-cm-long lithium niobate (LiNbO(3)) crystal with the Mark III infrared free electron laser at Duke University. The fundamental laser radiation was tuned from 2 to 2.5 µm, yielding 1-1.25-µm radiation (second harmonic) and 0.5-0.625-µm radiation (fourth harmonic). A fundamental-second-harmonic energy conversion efficiency of 66% and a fundamental-fourth-harmonic energy conversion efficiency of 3.3 × 10(-6) were measured. The maximum energy in the fourth harmonic was 3.3 nJ.
ABSTRACT
After briefly reporting on the present status of the infrared free-electron laser now operating at the Stanford Photon Research Laboratory and powered by the linear accelerator Mark III, we discuss the results of using nonlinear optical techniques for both the characterization of its output radiation and the enhancment of its tunability range. In particular, to show the evidence of possible self-guiding effects, a new and reliable technique has been devised and successfully tested for real-time monitoring of the micropulse evolution during the buildup of radiation. Finally, we discuss the main problems connected with the damage threshold of optical materials.
ABSTRACT
The cavity dumping technique, applied to free electron lasers (FEL), is described. Taking advantage of both numerical simulations and experimental results on the Mark III FEL, a fairly exhaustive analysis is reported. In particular, we show that the output peak power can be increased by a factor even higher than one hundred. The cavity dumping experiment, under way on the Mark III FEL, is discussed in some detail.
ABSTRACT
We describe a tunable intracavity filter, which, taking advantage on the electrooptic effect, limits the growth of the sidebands in a free electron laser and even suppresses them in some cases.
ABSTRACT
We describe an electronically tunable intracavity filter, based on the acoustooptic effect, that suppresses the sideband instabilities in a free electron laser. Different configurations are analyzed, and the problems encountered in the design and construction of a broadband acoustic transducer are discussed in some detail. In addition, some preliminary experimental results on the construction of broadband acoustic transducers are reported. The main advantages of this device are high damage threshold, low insertion losses, good tunability, and easy handling.
ABSTRACT
Theoretical and experimental studies conducted by the Stanford Free Electron Laser group have resulted in the first operation of a free-electron laser amplifier and free-electron laser oscillator. Two superconducting helically wound periodic magnetics have been constructed for use with the laser. In this paper we present a discussion of design considerations and test results for the two magnets. The tests included measurement of the magnitude and the variation of the transverse magnetic field with radius in the bore of the magnets, the critical current, and the intensity, angular distribution, and spectrum of the spontaneous radiation emitted by electrons moving through the field.
