First lasing of the Jefferson Lab IR Demo FEL

As reported previously [1], Jefferson Lab is building a free-electron laser capable of generating a continuous wave kilowatt laser beam. The driver-accelerator consists of a superconducting, energy-recovery accelerator. The initial stage of the program was to produce over 100 W of average power with no recirculation. In order to provide maximum gain the initial wavelength was chosen to be 5 mu-m and the initial beam energy was chosen to be 38.5 MeV. On June 17, 1998, the laser produced 155 Watts cw power at the laser output with a 98% reflective output coupler. On July 28th, 311 Watts cw power was obtained using a 90% reflective output coupler. A summary of the commissioning activities to date as well as some novel lasing results will be summarized in this paper. Present work is concentrated on optimizing lasing at 5 mu-m, obtaining lasing at 3 mu-m, and commissioning the recirculation transport in preparation for kilowatt lasing this fall

Synthesis, structure, and properties of bis(2-(1-ethyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl) acetate) copper(II)

Ethylation of imidazole-4-acetate methyl ester affords 1-ethyl-1H-Imidazol- 4-ylacetic acid methyl ester (1) and 1-ethyl-1H-Imidazol-5-ylacetic acid methyl ester (2) in a 3:1 ratio. Both 1 and 2 can be converted to their potassium carboxylate salts, 3 and 4, respectively. Reaction of 3 with CuCl2 in methanol yields [Cu(eia)2]·4MeOH (5·4MeOH) (eia = 1-ethyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)acetate). EPR measurement of 5 in methanol glass exhibits near axial symmetry with g⊥ (gx = 2.060, gy = 2.087) and g∥=gz= 2.293 with A∥Cu = A zCu = 152 G, A⊥Cu∼ 10 G, and A yN = 14 G. Accordingly, the structure of 5·4MeOH reveals Cu(II) in tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry with O, N coordination from eia and elongated bonding (2.506 Å) to methanol oxygens in the axial positions. An infinite 1-dimensional hydrogen bonding network involving methanol molecules is present. DFT studies have been carried out to assist in assignment of electronic transitions. Electrochemical studies on 5 in methanol and DMF reveal quasi-reversible redox behavior for the Cu II/I couple while for MeCN a CuI/0 stripping process is seen. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

A kilowatt average power laser for sub-picosecond materials processing

The performance of laser pulses in the sub-picosecond range for materials processing is substantially enhanced over similar fluences delivered in longer pulses. Recent advances in the development of solid state lasers have progressed significantly toward the higher average powers potentially useful for many applications. Nonetheless, prospects remain distant for multi-kilowatt sub-picosecond solid state systems such as would be required for industrial scale surface processing of metals and polymers. The authors present operational results from the world's first kilowatt scale ultra-fast materials processing laser. A Free Electron Laser (FEL) called the IR Demo is operational as a User Facility at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Virginia, USA. In its initial operation at high average power it is capable of wavelengths in the 2 to 6 micron range and can produce {approximately}0.7 ps pulses in a continuous train at {approximately}75 MHz. This pulse length has been shown to be nearly optimal for deposition of energy in materials at the surface. Upgrades in the near future will extend operation beyond 10 kW CW average power in the near IR and kilowatt levels of power at wavelengths from 0.3 to 60 microns. This paper will cover the design and performance of this groundbreaking laser and operational aspects of the User Facility

Sustained Kilowatt Lasing in a Free-Electron Laser with Same Cell Energy Recovery

TJNAF recently commissioned its high-average-power infrared free-electron laser (FEL). It incorporates a superconducting accelerator that recovers about 75% of the electron-beam power and converts it to radio-frequency power. In achieving first lasing, the accelerator operated straight-ahead to deliver 38 MeV, 1.1 mA cw average current through the wiggler for lasing at wavelengths near 5 {micro}m. The waste beam was then sent directly to a dump. Stable operation at up to 311 W cw was achieved in this mode. Using a transport loop to send the waste electron beam back to the linac for energy recovery, the machine recently lased cw at up to 1720 W average power at 3.1 {micro}m, for which the electron-beam energy and average current were 48 MeV and 4.4 mA, respectively

First operation of an FEL in same-cell energy recovery mode

The driver for Jefferson Lab's kW-level infrared free-electron laser (FEL) is a superconducting, recirculating accelerator that recovers 75% of the electron-beam power and converts it to radio frequency power. As reported in FEL'98, the accelerator operated ''straight-ahead'' to deliver 38 MeV, 1.1 mA cw current for lasing at wavelengths in the vicinity of 5 microns. The waste beam was sent directly to a dump, bypassing the recirculation loop. Stable operation at up to 311 W cw was achieved in this mode. The machine has now recirculated cw average current up to 4.6 mA and has lased cw with energy recovery up to 1,720 W output at 3.1 microns. This is the first FEL to ever operate in the ''same-cell'' energy recovery mode. Energy recovery offers several advantages (reduced RF power and dramatically reduced radio-nuclide production at the dump) and several challenges will be described. The authors have observed heating effects in the mirrors which will be described. They will also report on the additional performance measurements of the FEL that have been performed and connect those measurements to standard models