We present experiments and simulations showing the behavior of a free-electron laser ͑FEL͒ with both positive and negative linear tapers along the wiggler. We show the power desynchronism curve widths, efficiency, exhaust electron energy spread, and wavelength dependence as a function of taper for 3-and 6-m optical wavelengths and for resonators with 10% and 2% loss/pass. Simulations of the experiments, using a multimode analysis, are seen to be in general agreement with the experimental results, carried out at the IR Demo FEL at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. We find that short-pulse effects are more effective than tapers in producing high efficiency with low exhaust energy spread, and the expected performance enhancement of FEL tapering is not achieved.
The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) free electron laser (FEL) can be upgraded to operate at 100 kW average power in the near future using a configuration that recirculates the electron beam to recover energy. It is important to extract the maximum energy from the electron beam in a pass through the undulator while inducing the minimum amount of exhaust energy spread. A larger energy extraction reduces the requirement for a large recirculating current, while a smaller exhaust energy spread allows the intense electron beam to be recirculated without damaging components. To improve FEL performance, we explore the use of the step-tapered undulator, which alters the resonance condition halfway through the undulator. Short pulses complicate the desired interaction. Comparisons are made to the conventional periodic and linearly-tapered undulators.
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