BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York
SAIC, McLean
We report the first experimental characterization of efficiency and spectrum enhancement in a laser-seeded free-electron laser (FEL) using a tapered undulator. Output and spectra in the fundamental and 3rd harmonic were measured versus distance for uniform and tapered undulators. With a 4% field taper over 3 m, a 300% (50%) increase in the fundamental (3rd harmonic) output was observed. A significant improvement in the spectra with the elimination of side-bands was observed using a tapered undulator. The experiment is in good agreement with predictions using the MEDUSA simulation code.
