• F.V. Hartemann, F. Albert, S.G. Anderson, C.P.J. Barty, A.J. Bayramian, T.S. Chu, R.R. Cross, C.A. Ebbers, D.J. Gibson, R.A. Marsh, D.P. McNabb, M. J. Messerly, M. Shverdin, C. Siders
  LLNL, Livermore, California
• E.N. Jongewaard, T.O. Raubenheimer, S.G. Tantawi, A.E. Vlieks
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• V. A. Semenov
  UCB, Berkeley, California

Recent progress in accelerator physics and laser technology have enabled the development of a new class of tunable gamma-ray light sources based on Compton scattering between a high-brightness, relativistic electron beam and a high intensity laser pulse produced via chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). A precision, tunable Mono-Energetic Gamma-ray (MEGa-ray) source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development and construction at LLNL. High-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by an X-band linac designed in collaboration with SLAC will interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps, diode-pumped CPA laser pulse to generate tunable γ-rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering. This MEGa-ray source will be used to excite nuclear resonance fluorescence in various isotopes. Applications include homeland security, stockpile science and surveillance, nuclear fuel assay, and waste imaging and assay. The source design, key parameters, and current status are presented, along with important applications, including nuclear resonance fluorescence, photo-fission, and medical imaging.

• M.P. Dunning, E.R. Colby, Y.T. Ding, J.T. Frederico, A. Gilevich, C. Hast, R.K. Jobe, D.J. McCormick, J. Nelson, T.O. Raubenheimer, K. Soong, G.V. Stupakov, Z.M. Szalata, D.R. Walz, S.P. Weathersby, M. Woodley, D. Xiang
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• J.N. Corlett, G. Penn, S. Prestemon, J. Qiang, D. Schlueter, M. Venturini, W. Wan
  LBNL, Berkeley, California
• P.L. Pernet
  EPFL, Lausanne

In this paper we describe the technical design of an on-going proof-of-principle echo-enabled harmonic generation (EEHG) FEL experiment in the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA) at SLAC. The experiment was designed through late 2009 and built and installed between October 2009 and January 2010. We present the design considerations, the technical realization and the expected performances of the EEHG experiment.

• D. Xiang, E.R. Colby, Y.T. Ding, M.P. Dunning, J.T. Frederico, A. Gilevich, C. Hast, R.K. Jobe, D.J. McCormick, J. Nelson, T.O. Raubenheimer, K. Soong, G.V. Stupakov, Z.M. Szalata, D.R. Walz, S.P. Weathersby, M. Woodley
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• J.N. Corlett, G. Penn, S. Prestemon, J. Qiang, D. Schlueter, M. Venturini, W. Wan
  LBNL, Berkeley, California
• P.L. Pernet
  EPFL, Lausanne

ECHO-7 is a proof-of-principle echo-enabled harmonic generation* FEL experiment in the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA) at SLAC. The experiment aims to generate coherent radiation at 318 nm and 227 nm, which is the 5th and 7th harmonic of the infrared seed laser. In this paper we present the preliminary results from the commissioning run of the completed experimental setup which started in April 2010.

* G. Stupakov, PRL, 102, 074801 (2009); D. Xiang and G. Stupakov, PRST-AB, 12, 030702 (2009).

• T.S. Chu, S.G. Anderson, C.P.J. Barty, D.J. Gibson, F.V. Hartemann, R.A. Marsh, C. Siders
  LLNL, Livermore, California
• C. Adolphsen, E.N. Jongewaard, T.O. Raubenheimer, S.G. Tantawi, A.E. Vlieks, J.W. Wang
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California

A Mono-Energetic Gamma-Ray Compton scattering light source is being developed at LLNL. The electron beam for the interaction will be generated by a X-band RF gun and LINAC at the frequency of 11.424 GHz. High power RF in excess of 500 MW is needed to accelerate the electrons to energy of 250 MeV or greater. Two high power klystrons, each capable of generating 50 MW, 1.5 msec pulses, will be the main RF sources for the system. These klystrons will be powered by state of the art solid-state high voltage modulators. A RF pulse compressor, similar to the SLED II pulse compressor, will compress the klystron output pulse with a power gain factor of five. For compactness consideration, we are looking at a folded RF line. The goal is to obtain 500 MW at output of the compressor. The compressed pulse will then be distributed to the RF gun and to six traveling wave accelerator sections. Phase shifter and amplitude control are located at the RF gun input and additional control points along the LINAC to allow for parameter control during operation. This high power RF system is being designed and constructed. In this paper, we will present the design, layout, and status of this RF system.

• R.A. Marsh, S.G. Anderson, C.P.J. Barty, T.S. Chu, C.A. Ebbers, D.J. Gibson, F.V. Hartemann
  LLNL, Livermore, California
• C. Adolphsen, E.N. Jongewaard, T.O. Raubenheimer, S.G. Tantawi, A.E. Vlieks, J.W. Wang
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California

In support of Compton scattering gamma-ray source efforts at LLNL, a multi-bunch test stand is being developed to investigate accelerator optimization for future upgrades. This test stand will enable work to explore the science and technology paths required to boost the current 10 Hz mono-energetic gamma-ray (MEGa-Ray) technology to an effective repetition rate exceeding 1 kHz, potentially increasing the average gamma-ray brightness by two orders of magnitude. Multiple bunches must be of exceedingly high quality to produce narrow-bandwidth gamma-rays. Modeling efforts will be presented, along with plans for a multi-bunch test stand at LLNL. The test stand will consist of a 5.5 cell X-band rf photoinjector, single accelerator section, and beam diagnostics. The photoinjector will be a high gradient standing wave structure, featuring a dual feed racetrack coupler. The accelerator will increase the electron energy so that the emittance can be measured using quadrupole scanning techniques. Multi-bunch diagnostics will be developed so that the beam quality can be measured and compared with theory. Design will be presented with modeling simulations, and layout plans.