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Compact MHz high repetition rate EUV to soft x-ray free electron laser

Ji Qiang

Abstract

High-brightness X-ray Free Electron Lasers (FELs) produce spatially and temporally coherent pulses on attosecond to femtosecond timescales, providing a transformative tool for discovery across biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. However, most existing FELs are kilometer-scale facilities with billion-dollar construction costs and low repetition rates (about 100 Hz), which limits their accessibility and scientific throughput. This paper introduces a novel design for a compact, high-repetition-rate (MHz) EUV to 1 nm soft X-ray FEL with a footprint of less than 100 meters. This design is suitable for installation within university or research institution settings where space is limited. The facility leverages a multi-turn recirculating linear accelerator that integrates state-of-the-art superconducting accelerator technology with recent advances in diffraction-limited storage rings. We present the conceptual design and analyze the impact of incoherent and coherent synchrotron radiation, demonstrating that these effects are not limiting factors for achieving high-quality electron beams. Such a compact X-ray FEL facility would substantially reduce both construction and operational costs, greatly expanding access to these powerful research tools. Furthermore, the design provides a potential upgrade path to generating hard X-ray radiation by incorporating high accelerating gradient structures to further accelerate a portion of the MHz electron beam.

Compact MHz high repetition rate EUV to soft x-ray free electron laser

Abstract

High-brightness X-ray Free Electron Lasers (FELs) produce spatially and temporally coherent pulses on attosecond to femtosecond timescales, providing a transformative tool for discovery across biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. However, most existing FELs are kilometer-scale facilities with billion-dollar construction costs and low repetition rates (about 100 Hz), which limits their accessibility and scientific throughput. This paper introduces a novel design for a compact, high-repetition-rate (MHz) EUV to 1 nm soft X-ray FEL with a footprint of less than 100 meters. This design is suitable for installation within university or research institution settings where space is limited. The facility leverages a multi-turn recirculating linear accelerator that integrates state-of-the-art superconducting accelerator technology with recent advances in diffraction-limited storage rings. We present the conceptual design and analyze the impact of incoherent and coherent synchrotron radiation, demonstrating that these effects are not limiting factors for achieving high-quality electron beams. Such a compact X-ray FEL facility would substantially reduce both construction and operational costs, greatly expanding access to these powerful research tools. Furthermore, the design provides a potential upgrade path to generating hard X-ray radiation by incorporating high accelerating gradient structures to further accelerate a portion of the MHz electron beam.
Paper Structure (4 sections, 16 equations, 8 figures)

This paper contains 4 sections, 16 equations, 8 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. A compact high repetition rate X-ray FEL facility
  3. Effects of ISR and CSR in arcs
  4. Conclusion and Discussion

Figures (8)

  • Figure 1: Schematic plot of the compact x-ray FEL facility.
  • Figure 2: Schematic layout of a multi-bend achromat 90-degree arc.
  • Figure 3: Electron beam RMS size evolution (left) and emittance evolution (right) through a 90-degree, 11-bend achromat arc with a beam energy of 1.2 GeV and zero current.
  • Figure 4: Electron beam RMS size evolution (left) and emittance evolution (right) through a 90-degree, 11-bend achromat arc with a beam energy of 1.2 GeV and an initial peak current of 60 A.
  • Figure 5: Horizontal emittance growth through 7-bend, 9-bend, and 11-bend achromat arcs with an initial emittance of 0.5 $\mu$m (left) and 1 $\mu$m (right) at a beam energy of 1.2 GeV.
  • ...and 3 more figures