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20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
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Laser-Modulation-Driven X-Ray Pulse Shaping in Regenerative Amplifier Free-Electron Lasers
Zhen Zhang1, Jingyi Tang1, Erik Hemsing1
1SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|November 21, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new method for precisely shaping hard x-ray pulses from regenerative amplifier free-electron lasers (RAFELs). This technique offers control over x-ray properties for advanced scientific applications without altering the laser system.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Laser Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Regenerative amplifier free-electron lasers (RAFELs) are advanced light sources.
- Generating custom-shaped, coherent hard x-ray pulses is crucial for advanced scientific research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a robust method for generating custom-shaped, coherent hard x-ray pulses in RAFELs.
- To enable deterministic control over spectral and temporal properties of emitted x-rays.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing laser-induced energy modulation of the electron beam.
- Imprinting a temporally shaped optical modulation to create an energy pattern on the electron beam.
- Extracting spectral sidebands generated through interaction with the x-ray cavity seed.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a novel mechanism for output coupling and pulse shaping in RAFELs.
- Achieved deterministic control over x-ray pulse properties, including multicolor generation and complex waveforms.
- Showcased compatibility with existing RAFEL cavities and high-repetition-rate operation.
Conclusions:
- The presented method provides a practical pathway for delivering on-demand, shaped coherent x-ray pulses.
- This technique is essential for advancing time-resolved and nonlinear x-ray science.
- No modification of the RAFEL cavity or optics is required.
