Development of ultrafast capabilities for X-ray free-electron lasers at the linac coherent light source. (1st April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coffee, Ryan N.; Cryan, James P.; Duris, Joseph; Helml, Wolfram; Li, Siqi; Marinelli, Agostino
• Is Part Of: Philosophical transactions. Volume 377:Number 2145(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-04-01
• Subjects: X-ray free electron laser -- attosecond -- electron dynamics -- charge migration -- attosecondX-ray pulses; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Periodicals; Mathematics -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2018.0386
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-503X

Abstract

Abstract : The ability to produce ultrashort, high-brightness X-ray pulses is revolutionizing the field of ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy. Free-electron laser (FEL) facilities are driving this revolution, but unique aspects of the FEL process make the required characterization and use of the pulses challenging. In this paper, we describe a number of developments in the generation of ultrashort X-ray FEL pulses, and the concomitant progress in the experimental capabilities necessary for their characterization and use at the Linac Coherent Light Source. This includes the development of sub-femtosecond hard and soft X-ray pulses, along with ultrafast characterization techniques for these pulses. We also describe improved techniques for optical cross-correlation as needed to address the persistent challenge of external optical laser synchronization with these ultrashort X-ray pulses. This article is part of the theme issue 'Measurement of ultrafast electronic and structural dynamics with X-rays'.