We present an analysis of a Čerenkov free-electron laser (FEL) driven by a flat electron beam. In this system, an electron beam traveling close to a dielectric slab placed at the top of an ideal conductor interacts with the copropagating electromagnetic surface mode. The surface mode arises due to singularity in the reflectivity of the dielectric slab for the incident evanescent wave. Under suitable conditions, the surface mode grows as a result of interaction with the electron beam. We show that the interaction of the surface mode with the copropagating electron beam can be rigorously understood by analyzing the singularity in the reflectivity. Using this approach, we set up coupled Maxwell-Lorentz equations for the system, in analogy with conventional undulator based FELs. We solve these equations analytically in the small signal regime to obtain formulas for the small signal gain, and the spatial growth rate. Saturation behavior of the system is analyzed by solving these equations numerically in the nonlinear regime. Results of numerical simulations are in good agreement with the analytical calculations in the linear regime. We find that Čerenkov FEL under appropriate conditions can produce copious coherent terahertz (THz) radiation.

The free electron laser (FEL) amplifier is implemented in x-ray FEL facilities to generate short wavelength radiation. The problem of an efficiency increase of an FEL amplifier is now of great practical importance. The technique of undulator tapering in the postsaturation regime is used at the existing x-ray FELs LCLS, SACLA and FERMI, and is planned for use at FLASH, European XFEL, Swiss FEL, and PAL XFEL. There are also discussions on the future of high peak and average power FELs for scientific and industrial applications. In this paper we perform a detailed analysis of the tapering strategies for high power seeded FEL amplifiers. Analysis of the radiation properties from the modulated electron beam and application of similarity techniques allows us to derive the universal law of the undulator tapering.

In an experiment conducted on the Jefferson Laboratory IR free-electron laser driver, the effects of coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) on beam quality were studied. The primary goal of this work was to explore CSR output and effect on the beam with variation of the bunch compression in the IR recirculator. Here we examine the impact of CSR on the average energy loss as a function of bunch compression as well as the impact of CSR on the energy spectrum of the bunch. Simulation of beam dynamics in the machine, including the one-dimensional CSR model, shows very good agreement with the measured effect of CSR on the average energy loss as a function of compression. Finally, a well-defined structure is observed in the energy spectrum with a feature in the spectrum that varies as a function of the compression. This effect is examined in simulations, as well, and a simple explanation for the variation is proposed.

For the long gap tunable undulator systems of the European XFEL, 91 phase shifters are needed. They need to fulfil stringent and demanding field integral tolerances if their strengths, i.e., their magnetic gaps, are changed. In order to avoid additional correctors, their first field integral errors must not exceed $\pm 0.004\mathrm{Tmm}$ for self-amplified spontaneous emission operation at 1 Å. For longer wavelengths there are slightly relaxed requirements. In addition, a good field range of $\pm 0.5\mathrm{mm}$ is required. Phase shifters are manufactured by using state of the art techniques such as measurement and sorting of magnets, measurement and sorting of subassemblies, etc. In spite of these efforts, inhomogeneities of the permanent magnet material as well as mechanic manufacturing errors, which cannot be avoided and lead to violations of the demanding first field integral specifications. Therefore, a fast and robust shimming technique was developed for the serial production of these devices. It is based on measured signatures of shims with different geometries and uses symmetry properties of shims placed on different positions and poles with different polarity. In this paper, the specifications for the phase shifters in the European XFEL are derived first. Then the method is described in detail and results are presented, which demonstrate that all requirements can be fulfilled.

A new way to connect pulsed-power modules to a common load is presented. Unlike previous connectors, the clam shell magnetically insulated transmission line (CSMITL) has magnetic nulls only at large radius where the cathode electric field is kept below the threshold for emission, has only a simply connected magnetic topology to avoid plasma motion along magnetic field lines into highly stressed gaps, and has electron injectors that ensure efficient electron flow even in the limiting case of self-limited MITLs. Multilevel magnetically insulated transmission lines with a posthole convolute are the standard solution but associated losses limit the performance of state-of-the-art accelerators. Mitigating these losses is critical for the next generation of pulsed-power accelerators. A CSMITL has been successfully implemented on the Saturn accelerator. A reference design for the Z accelerator is derived and presented. The design conservatively meets the design requirements and shows excellent transport efficiency in three simulations of increasing complexity: circuit simulations, electromagnetic fields only with Emphasis, fields plus electron and ion emission with Quicksilver.

Optics measurement algorithms have been improved in preparation for the commissioning of the LHC at higher energy, i.e., with an increased damage potential. Due to machine protection considerations the higher energy sets tighter limits in the maximum excitation amplitude and the total beam charge, reducing the signal to noise ratio of optics measurements. Furthermore the precision in 2012 (4 TeV) was insufficient to understand beam size measurements and determine interaction point (IP) $\beta$-functions (${\beta }^{*}$). A new, more sophisticated algorithm has been developed which takes into account both the statistical and systematic errors involved in this measurement. This makes it possible to combine more beam position monitor measurements for deriving the optical parameters and demonstrates to significantly improve the accuracy and precision. Measurements from the 2012 run have been reanalyzed which, due to the improved algorithms, result in a significantly higher precision of the derived optical parameters and decreased the average error bars by a factor of three to four. This allowed the calculation of ${\beta }^{*}$ values and demonstrated to be fundamental in the understanding of emittance evolution during the energy ramp.

Self-magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) connect pulsed-power drivers with a load. Although the technology was originally developed in the 1970s and is widely used today in super power generators, failure of the technology is the principal limitation on the power that can be delivered to an experiment. We address issues that are often overlooked, rejected after inadequate simulations, or covered by overly conservative assumptions: (i) electron retrapping in coupling MITLs to loads, (ii) the applicability of collisionless versus collisional electron flow, (iii) power transport efficiency as a function of the geometry at the beginning of the MITL, (iv) gap closure and when gap closure can be neglected, and (v) the role of negative ions in causing anode plasmas and enhancing current losses. We suggest a practical set of conservative design requirements for self-magnetically insulated electron flow based on the results discussed in this paper and on previously published results. The requirements are not necessarily severe constraints in all MITL applications; however, each of the 18 suggested requirements should be examined in the design of a MITL and in the investigation of excessive losses.

Free electron lasers in the X-ray regime require a good slice alignment along the electron bunch to achieve their best performance. A transverse beam slice shift reduces this alignment and spoils projected emittance and optics. Coherent synchrotron radiation specifically for over-compression and transverse wakefields are major contributors to this. In the case of the large-bandwidth operation, based on a strictly monotonic energy chirp of the bunch, the here introduced correction additionally enhances the spectral bandwidth of the FEL pulse. Well-defined leaking of dispersion at places with a strictly monotonic longitudinal phase space can compensate a beam tilt. This work presents a way to characterize the beam tilt as well as a method to correct for it within a linear accelerator with at least one high dispersive section with corrector magnets.

The recent development of two-color x-ray free-electron lasers, as well as the successful demonstration of high-gradient witness bunch acceleration in a plasma, have generated strong interest in electron bunch trains, where two or more electron bunches are generated, accelerated and compressed in the same accelerating bucket. In this paper we analyze a twin-bunch technique in a high-energy linac, such as the Linac Coherent Light Source. This method allows the generation of two electron bunches with high peak current and independent control of time delay and energy separation. We find that the wakefields in the accelerator structures play an important role in the twin-bunch compression, and they can be used to extend the available time delay range. Based on the theoretical model and simulations we propose several methods to achieve larger time delay.

The simulation of beam dynamics in the presence of collective effects requires a strong computational effort to take into account, in a self-consistent way, the wakefield acting on a given charge and produced by all the others. Generally this is done by means of a convolution integral or sum. Moreover, if the electromagnetic fields consist of resonant modes with high quality factors, responsible, for example, for coupled bunch instabilities, a charge is also affected by itself in previous turns, and a very long record of wakefield must be properly taken into account. In this paper we present a new simulation code for the longitudinal beam dynamics in a circular accelerator, which exploits an alternative approach to the currently used convolution sum, reducing the computing time and avoiding the issues related to the length of wakefield for coupled bunch instabilities. With this approach it is possible to simulate, without the need for large computing power, simultaneously, the single and multibunch beam dynamics including intrabunch motion. Moreover, for a given machine, generally both the coupling impedance and the wake potential of a short Gaussian bunch are known. However, a classical simulation code needs in input the so-called “Green” function, that is the wakefield produced by a point charge, making necessary some manipulations to use the wake potential instead of the Green function. The method that we propose does not need the wakefield as input, but a particular fitting of the coupling impedance requiring the use of the resonator impedance model, thus avoiding issues related to the knowledge of the Green function. The same approach can also be applied to the transverse case and to linear accelerators as well.

Activities of the past several years in developing the technique of forming seamless (weldless) cavity cells by hydroforming are summarized. An overview of the technique developed at DESY for the fabrication of single cells and multicells of the TESLA cavity shape is given and the major rf results are presented. The forming is performed by expanding a seamless tube with internal water pressure while simultaneously swaging it axially. Prior to the expansion the tube is necked at the iris area and at the ends. Tube radii and axial displacements are computer controlled during the forming process in accordance with results of finite element method simulations for necking and expansion using the experimentally obtained strain-stress relationship of tube material. In cooperation with industry different methods of niobium seamless tube production have been explored. The most appropriate and successful method is a combination of spinning or deep drawing with flow forming. Several single-cell niobium cavities of the 1.3 GHz TESLA shape were produced by hydroforming. They reached accelerating gradients $E_{\text{acc}}$ up to $35\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ after buffered chemical polishing (BCP) and up to $42\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ after electropolishing (EP). More recent work concentrated on fabrication and testing of multicell and nine-cell cavities. Several seamless two- and three-cell units were explored. Accelerating gradients $E_{\text{acc}}$ of $30–35\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ were measured after BCP and $E_{\text{acc}}$ up to $40\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ were reached after EP. Nine-cell niobium cavities combining three three-cell units were completed at the company E. Zanon. These cavities reached accelerating gradients of $E_{\text{acc}}=30–35\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$. One cavity is successfully integrated in an XFEL cryomodule and is used in the operation of the FLASH linear accelerator at DESY. Additionally the fabrication of bimetallic single-cell and multicell NbCu cavities by hydroforming was successfully developed. Several NbCu clad single-cell and double-cell cavities of the TESLA shape have been fabricated. The clad seamless tubes were produced using hot bonding or explosive bonding and subsequent flow forming. The thicknesses of Nb and Cu layers in the tube wall are about 1 and 3 mm respectively. The rf performance of the best NbCu clad cavities is similar to that of bulk Nb cavities. The highest accelerating gradient achieved was $40\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$. The advantages and disadvantages of hydroformed cavities are discussed in this paper.

This paper studies various mechanisms to enhance the coherent Smith-Purcell radiation (SPR) at terahertz frequencies using particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. A simple analytical dispersion relation is derived to predict the frequency of the evanescent surface wave of the open grating, which is excited by a backward-wave oscillation mechanism and emits radiation at harmonics of this frequency, and the cavity mode frequencies of the Orotron-like device, all in excellent agreement with the simulation data. The grating parameters are optimized to minimize the starting current of a continuous electron beam for exciting coherent SPR. It is demonstrated that a prebunched beam can be used to selectively excite coherent SPR at desired SPR angle and frequencies that are higher harmonics of the beam bunching frequency, where the starting current requirement is eliminated. Our PIC simulations show the dynamics of modes development and competition for the Orotron-like open cavity structure, which owns a lower starting current than the surface mode process. This oscillation mode dominates at steady state and enhances the radiated power by more than 2 orders of magnitude.

Attosecond electron bunches produced at the surface of nanometer-scale droplets illuminated by a two-cycle laser pulse are investigated for the purpose of determining their optimal emission characteristics. Significant departures from Mie theory are found for electron bunch emission from droplets whose radii satisfy the condition ${\delta }_r<R<10{\delta }_r$, where ${\delta }_r={\gamma }^{1/2}c/{\omega }_p$ is the plasma relativistic skin depth; an effect which can be accounted for by induced transparency. Scattering from such droplets is subject to a transitional regime which is neither accounted for by optical Mie theory valid for $R\gg \delta$, where $\delta$ is the usual plasma skin depth, nor with the Rayleigh regime ($R<\delta \ll \lambda$). Instead the angular emission of the bunches is to a good approximation described by the nonlinear ponderomotive scattering model. Subsequently, the bunches are subject to further deflection by the ponderomotive pressure of the copropagating laser field in vacuum, depending on the initial droplet parameters. Final emission angles are estimated, together with the energy spectrum of the bunches.

Underdense plasma produced in gas jets by low intensity laser prepulses in the presence of a static magnetic field, $B\sim 0.3\mathrm{T}$, is shown experimentally to become an optical element allowing steering of tightly focused high power femtosecond laser pulses within several degrees along with essential enhancement of pulse’s focusability. Strong laser prepulses form a density ramp perpendicularly to magnetic field direction and, owing to the light refraction, main laser pulses propagate along the magnetic field even if it is tilted from the laser axis. Electrons generated in the laser pulse wake are well collimated and follow in the direction of the magnetic field; their characteristics are measured to be not sensitive to the tilt of magnetic field up to angles $\pm 5°$.

The paper describes the commissioning of the experimental equipment and the machine studies required for the first spin-filtering experiment with protons at a beam kinetic energy of 49.3 MeV in COSY. The implementation of a low-$\beta$ insertion made it possible to achieve beam lifetimes of ${\tau }_b=8000\mathrm{s}$ in the presence of a dense polarized hydrogen storage-cell target of areal density $d_t=(5.5\pm 0.2)\times 10^{13}\mathrm{atoms}/{\mathrm{cm}}^2$. The developed techniques can be directly applied to antiproton machines and allow the determination of the spin-dependent $\overline{p}p$ cross sections via spin filtering.

The correct functioning of a collimation system is crucial to safely and successfully operate high-energy particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). However, the requirements to handle high-intensity beams can be demanding, and accident scenarios must be well studied in order to assess if the collimator design is robust against possible error scenarios. One of the catastrophic, though not very probable, accident scenarios identified within the LHC is an asynchronous beam dump. In this case, one (or more) of the 15 precharged kicker circuits fires out of time with the abort gap, spraying beam pulses onto LHC machine elements before the machine protection system can fire the remaining kicker circuits and bring the beam to the dump. If a proton bunch directly hits a collimator during such an event, severe beam-induced damage such as magnet quenches and other equipment damage might result, with consequent downtime for the machine. This study investigates a number of newly defined jaw error cases, which include angular misalignment errors of the collimator jaw. A numerical finite element method approach is presented in order to precisely evaluate the thermomechanical response of tertiary collimators to beam impact. We identify the most critical and interesting cases, and show that a tilt of the jaw can actually mitigate the effect of an asynchronous dump on the collimators. Relevant collimator damage limits are taken into account, with the aim to identify optimal operational conditions for the LHC.