Superconducting accelerators for megawatt-class free-electron lasers

Kenneth W. Berryman; Todd I. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.208220

26 April 1995 Superconducting accelerators for megawatt-class free-electron lasers

Kenneth W. Berryman, Todd I. Smith

Proceedings Volume 2376, Laser Power Beaming II; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.208220
Event: Photonics West '95, 1995, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Power beaming and industrial materials processing are two applications which require high average power lasers operating in the visible or near infrared. Although a handful of gas lasers in the hundred kilowatt range exist, free electron lasers (FELs) should be capable of producing even greater powers, and provide continuous tunability and higher beam quality. While these benefits were realized early in the development of FELs, the highest average power FEL to date has produced just over ten watts. Progress in achieving more average power has been hindered largely by a lack of appropriate accelerators. We believe that superconducting accelerators, which offer continuous operation at high gradients and high efficiency with excellent beam quality are ideal candidates as drivers for such a device. We discuss the challenges of operating both superconducting and room temperature accelerators at high powers and described solutions to these problems. We propose general guidelines along which a superconducting FEL capable of 100 kW to 1 MW could be built and discuss recent experimental demonstrations of these design principles. Finally, we compare the superconducting approach with other possibilities and outline areas requiring future research.

Citation Download Citation

Kenneth W. Berryman and Todd I. Smith "Superconducting accelerators for megawatt-class free-electron lasers", Proc. SPIE 2376, Laser Power Beaming II, (26 April 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.208220

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