• A.-S. Müller, T. Baumbach, S. Casalbuoni, B. Gasharova, M. Hagelstein, E. Huttel, Y.-L. Mathis, D.A. Moss, A. Plech, R. Rossmanith
  FZK, Karlsruhe
• E. Bründermann, M. Havenith
  Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum
• S. Hillenbrand, K.G. Sonnad
  KIT, Karlsruhe

A linac based coherent radiation source in the THz to mid-IR range is proposed. The TBONE machine will deliver pulses of radiation as short as a few fs in the frequency range from 0.1 to 150 THz with up to MW peak power. This combination of parameters will open up unprecedented opportunities in THz and infrared applications, such as e.g. microscopy or spectroscopy. This paper presents the main parameters and design considerations. Special emphasis is put on the study of suitable bunch compression and beam transport schemes.