Synchrotron radiation and X‐ray free‐electron lasers (X‐FELs) explained to all users, active and potential. (2nd May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hwu, Yeukuang; Margaritondo, Giorgio
• Is Part Of: Journal of synchrotron radiation. Volume 28:Part 3(2021)
• Page Start: 1014
• Page End: 1029
• Publication Date: 2021-05-02
• Subjects: synchrotron -- X‐FEL -- relativity -- ponderomotive; Synchrotron radiation -- Periodicals; Free electron lasers -- Periodicals; 539.73505
• DOI: 10.1107/S1600577521003325
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-0495

Abstract

Abstract : A new teaching strategy presents synchrotron sources and free‐electron lasers (FELs) in a form accessible to readers without a theoretical physics background. This specifically includes the microbunching and amplification mechanisms of FELs. Abstract : Synchrotron radiation evolved over one‐half century into a gigantic worldwide enterprise involving tens of thousands of researchers. Initially, almost all users were physicists. But now they belong to a variety of disciplines: chemistry, materials science, the life sciences, medical research, ecology, cultural heritage and others. This poses a challenge: explaining synchrotron sources without requiring a sophisticated background in theoretical physics. Here this challenge is met with an innovative approach that only involves elementary notions, commonly possessed by scientists of all domains.