Stanford University, Stanford, California
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
By operating SPEAR3 in the quasi-isochronous (low-alpha) mode, one can produce synchrotron radiation with pulse durations of order 1ps. Applications include pump-probe x-ray science and the production of THz radiation. Measurements of short pulse lengths are difficult, however, because the light intensity is low and streak camera resolution is of order 2ps. Bunch arrival time and timing jitter are also important factors. In order to further quantify the pulse length and timing system performance, a 5MHz, 50fs mode-locked laser was used to cross-correlate with the visible SR beam in a BBO crystal. The 800nm laser pulse was delayed with a precision mechanical stage and the product SHG radiation detected with a photodiode / lock-in amplifier using the ring frequency as reference. In this paper we report on the experimental setup, preliminary pulse length measurements and prospects for further improvement.
OXFORDphysics, Oxford, Oxon
JAI, Oxford
We present the results of the development of a high power fibre laser system for the laserwire project to measure very low emittance electron beams. We use the output of a commercial 1uJ, 6.49MHz laser system and amplify it in rod type photonic crystal fibre. This is a novel form of optical fibre which has a large core diameter (70um) but still supports only a single Gaussian spatial mode, essential for focusing the beam to the smallest spot size and achieving the highest resolution. We amplify the seed pulses in a burst mode suitable for use in a linear accelerator, which has the advantage of decreasing the pump power required and thus reducing the running cost and heat loading of the laser system. The amplified pulses have energies of ~ 100uJ in the near infrared and excellent beam quality, as specified in the original design, and are frequency converted to the green to give sub-micron spatial resolution.