Two-color operation in high-gain free-electron lasers

Two-color operation in free-electron laser (FEL) amplifiers is studied using a 3D nonlinear polychromatic simulation. We assume the FEL is seeded at two closely spaced wavelengths within the gain band, and study the growth of the seeds and a discrete spectrum of beat waves that are outside the gain band. The beat waves grow parasitically due to electron bunching in the seeded waves with growth rates higher than the seeded waves. Injection of narrow-band seeds ensures a discrete spectrum. An example is discussed corresponding to an x-ray FEL; however, the physics is applicable to all spectral ranges.