An integrated femtosecond timing distribution system for XFELS

Tightly synchronized lasers and RF-systems with timing jitter in the few femtoseconds range are necessary sub-systems for future X-ray free electron laser facilities. In this paper, we present an optical-microwave phase detector that is capable of extracting an RF-signal from an optical pulse stream without amplitude-to-phase conversion. Extraction of a microwave signal with 3 fs timing jitter (from 1 Hz to 10 MHz) from an optical pulse stream is demonstrated. Scaling of this component to subfemtosecond resolution is discussed. Together with low noise mode-locked lasers, timing-stabilized optical fiber links and compact optical cross-correlators, a flexible femtosecond timing distribution system with potentially sub-10 fs precision over distances of a few kilometers can be constructed. Experimental results on both synchronized RF and laser sources will be presented

Instrumentation for Longitudinal Beam Gymnastics in FEL's and at the CLIC Test Facility 3

Built at CERN by an international collaboration, the CLIC Test Facility 3 (CTF3) aims at demonstrating the feasibility of a high luminosity 3 TeV e+-e- collider by the year 2010. One of the main issues to be demonstrated is the generation of a high average current (30 A) high frequency (12 GHz) bunched beam by means of RF manipulation. At the same time, Free Electron Lasers (FEL) are developed in several places all over the world with the aim of providing high brilliance photon sources. These machines rely on the production of high peak current electron bunches. The required performances put high demands on the diagnostic equipment and innovative longitudinal monitors have been developed during the past years. This paper gives an overview of the longitudinal instrumentation developed at ELETTRA and CTF3, where a special effort was made in order to implement at the same time non-intercepting devices for online monitoring, and destructive diagnostics which have the advantage of providing more detailed information

FERMI@Elettra: A Seeded Harmonic Cascade FEL for EUV and Soft X-Rays

We describe the machine layout and major performance parameters for the FERMI FEL project funded for construction at Sincrotrone Trieste, Italy, within the next five years. The project will be the first user facility based on seeded harmonic cascade FEL's, providing controlled, high peak-power pulses. With a high-brightness rf photocathode gun, and using the existing 1.2 GeV S-band linac, the facility will provide tunable output over a range from {approx}100 nm to {approx}10 nm, with pulse duration from 40 fs to {approx} 1ps, peak power {approx}GW, and with fully variable output polarization. Initially, two FEL cascades are planned; a single-stage harmonic generation to operate > 40 nm, and a two-stage cascade operating from {approx}40 nm to {approx}10 nm or shorter wavelength. The output is spatially and temporally coherent, with peak power in the GW range. Lasers provide modulation to the electron beam, as well as driving the photocathode and other systems, and the facility will integrate laser systems with the accelerator infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art optical timing system providing synchronization of rf signals, lasers, and x-ray pulses. Major systems and overall facility layout are described, and key performance parameters summarized