2000 ATF Newsletters

Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Nov | Dec

Jan 14 | Jan 21 | Jan 28


 

Contents

1. Introduction

 

Greetings to all,

This is the first report for the New Year, and what a start. Interesting results in this report from a number of experiments: Observation of the Optical Klystron effect in SASE,  the Fast Electro-Optical Detector and STELLA. VISA also has reached a milestone of beam through the undulator. You may glimpse the amount of work done recently on VISA by looking at the photos:

1_14_VISA_und_l

1_14_VISA_und_r

Ilan Ben-Zvi.

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Observation of the Optical Klystron Effect in SASE (REPORTED BY XIJIE WANG)

On Tuesday of January. 4, Marcus Babzien, Vitaly Yakimenko and I did study of Optical Klystron on the SASE gain using the ATF HGHG setup.  Bob Malone and I first laser-cleaned the cathode on Monday so that the QE of the Mg cathode now better than 0.1%.  HGHG consists three magnets, first one is short modulator undulator, and second one is dispersion magnet consisting of three magnets chicane, and last one is two meters APS undulator A. For our studies, there was no CO2 seed laser, modulator was set on resonance at 5.3 um, and radiator was set at 10.6 um. We first aligned the e-beam with an alignment laser, tuned the beam to match the radiator undulator.

The figure below:

1_14_SASE_OK.htm

shows the maximum SASE signal as function of the strength of the dispersion.  During the measurement, the alignment of the e-beam and matching are kept constant. We believe that, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first observation of one order of magnitude SASE gain enhancement due to the optical klystron effect. Using optical klystron to improve SASE gain have been discussed by many authors, it could significantly reduce the technical difficulty of the X-ray SASE FEL, reduce the length and cost of the undulator. Furthermore, this scheme is compatible with HGHG seeded FEL. We intend to vary the modulator resonance frequency, to optimize this effect, and compare with theory.

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Fast Electro-Optical Detector Experiment (REPORTED BY YANNIS SEMERTZIDIS)

Since our pioneering observation of a charged particle beam by means of  the electro-optical effect induced in a LiNbO_3 modulator crystal[1] at the ATF, our efforts have been focused on studying beam induced opacity in optical fibers, the effect of mirror currents induced by beam bunches in the aluminum housing of the modulator crystal on the electro-optical signal and the investigation of other electro-optical materials such as poled fibers which could make construction of inexpensive fast detectors possible. Two conference papers were presented [1,2] and an article has been prepared for submission to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A[3].  Two ATF beam induced signals were observed with the LiNbO_3 modulator, the anticipated polarization dependent transmitted light modulation whose rise time was consistent with our time resolution and a polarization independent signal with a significantly longer decay time. The latter has been demonstrated to occur when the beam was incident on the optical material whether it was an LiNbO_3 crystal, a poled fiber or a polarization maintaining fiber. It is thought to arise from a plasma cutoff effect in the ionized optical medium.

Calculations indicate that beam induced currents in the LiNbO_3 modulator aluminum case can produce an electro-optical effect in the crystal. These are expected to have longer time decay constants which are geometry and conduction path dependent. We have observed the beam induced currents with an ungrounded aluminum plate placed adjacent to the detector and connected to a wire bringing the electrical signal out of the vacuum through a feedthrough.  Further work must be carried out to fully characterize the effect on the electro-optical media.

Laboratory measurements of the sensitivity of the poled fibers indicate that that they should be capable of producing a signal in our existing equipment at the ATF albeit a marginal one. To date we haven’t seen a polarization dependent signal from induced by the ATF beam in fibers we have poled, but a number of experimental problems and poorly optimized setups may be responsible. A wire implanted in or adjacent to an optical medium such as a poled fiber might increase its sensitivity by locally concentrating the electric field.

Poled fibers have responded to being hit by the beam with a fast attenuation of the transmitted light. We’ve measured the dependence of this on the charge in beam bunches and found it to be approximately linear.  We have also measured the dependence of the polarization dependent signal in a LiNbO_3 crystal on the distance to the beam which also agrees with expectations. In addition to completing the investigations outlined above, it is essential that we determine the intrinsic time resolution of this technique. In the near future we plan to employ a streak camera for these studies. Although LiNbO_3 and LiTaO_3 crystals and possibly poled fibers are sufficiently sensitive for beam diagnostic applications, we want to search for inexpensive materials that might have potential for single particle detection.

Pictures of the picture frame with the poled fibers are on the WEB at

http://www.picosec.bnl.gov/picture-frame-1.jpg and

http://www.picosec.bnl.gov/picture-frame-3.jpg

and pictures of the electro-optical modulator is at

http://www.picosec.bnl.gov/all_pict.jpg

References

[1] Y.K.~Semertzidis et al., Proceedings of the 1999 Particle Accelerator 1 Conference, 480 (1999).

[2] D.M.~Lazarus et al., Proceedings of the 1999 European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics. To be published.  [3] Y.K.~Semertzidis et al., Article to be submitted to Nucl. Instr.  and Meth. A (Appended).

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STELLA Experiment(REPORTED BY KARL KUSCHE)

1)   The first week of the new year proved to be fruitful for the STELLA team, as the strongest CTR signal to date was observed on beamline #1.  Ironically, during the first day of our two-day run, we were not successful in even reestablishing energy modulation at the spectrometer.  It was later found that the HeNe laser coalignment into the wiggler was not indicative of the CO2 laser beam path and had deceived us into believing that other parts of the experiment were at fault.  The alignment was carefully repeated on the morning of the second day, and energy modulation was quickly reestablished.

 Parameters & data:

E-beam energy = 45.6 MeV (optimized for new wiggler)

Charge (delivered) ~ 0.5nC

Energy modulation (spectrometer, -8 degrees) ~ 1.5% maximum Laser power delivered through wiggler ~ 50 MW maximum (typically 15-45 MW) CTR signal observed = *saturation* (> 1 Volt) of cooled-IR detector at all wavelengths of interest (2.5-5 microns, as per harmonic filter study), decrease of signal observed with attenuation of laser power, no signal observed (<10 mV, noise) when laser off or e-beam off.  Further processing of data and correlation to simulations to follow.

2)   To improve the stability and reproducibility of the laser alignment, another HeNe and kinematic mirror were installed closer to the wiggler and aligned this week.  Related to this is the ongoing work to rotate the laser polarization by 90-degrees with an additional mirror in the IFEL beam path, instead of a half-wave plate (which clipped the beam and introduced attenuation).  Also, thanks to John Skaritka and crew for installing the long-awaited plexiglass beampath enclosures for the protection of the laser transport optics in the Experimental Hall.

3)   At STI, Wayne and company have been busy with simulations that, in part, are hoped to explain the apparent lack of “optimum” CTR signal as a function of proper microbunching.  This work, aided locally by Vitaly, continues and will be reported upon in the future.

4)   STELLA currently is due to run again at the end of the month (1/26-1/28).  Modifications to the system are underway, mainly to improve e-beam focusing/imaging at the ICA interaction region.  Better e-beam focusing and spot size characterization, as well as further study of the CTR dependence upon laser power and e-beam current, are on the agenda.

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VISA Experiment (REPORTED BY AARON TREMAINE)

On Tuesday, we propagated beam to Pop-in 1 which is just a silicon mirror without use of the BPM optic design. This is to get a baseline for expected OTR. We saturated one of  the ATFs sensitive cameras with OTR. We then exchanged this camera with one of the VISA  cameras and saw signal, not nearly as bright though. These pictures can be seen at Beam was then propagated to BPM 2 which includes collecting optics. BPM 2 has a YAG screen. Using a VISA camera we saw signal through the BPM optics but was fuzzy and improvement on alignment and focusing is needed. We need to do more study on the intensities seen.

Just for fun we looked at the Faraday cup at the end of the beamline.  While running and making minor upstream modifications, we saw that ~1/3 of the charge was making it downstream (about 250pC). Unfortunately, no profilemeasurements at the undulator end could be made so we really don’t know what was being spit out the end of the undulator.

I would like to say that it took about 1.5 months from the time the undulator was inserted and aligned (late November)in the chamber to the first commissioning run on Tuesday. I think this was amazing progress-vacuum, controls, pop-ins, cabling ...etc.

Without the help of Don Davis, Marc Montemagno, Bill Cahill, Bob Malone, John Skaritka, Pedro Frigola and Bob Harrington (Don and I worked most weekends!), I know our present status would not have been possible.  Unfortunately, there is still much more to do on infrastructure and diagnostics.

Continuing,

We were unable to look at the beam with the other Pop-ins. It is difficult to align the BPM optics without more modification to the magnets. Also, the prototype BPM has the two mirrors mounted so that there are tilt and rotation capabilities. The production BPMs don’t have this capability and makes it extremely difficult to align. (Aligning with two mirrors and 1 degree of freedom on each mirror is tough.)  We are working on modifications which give us the second degree of freedom on the BPM optical mirrors.  The steering magnets were not tested with beam. They have been tested off line and some problems have been found. Currently, they are still being evaluated. The biggest problem is there seems to be around a 5 minute decay.  Testing shows that when commanded to  output 5 amps, the output ramps up to 6 amps and finally settles at 4.6 amps in around 5 minutes. If true, modifications will be necessary.

On Wed., it took the majority of the day to fix problems from the previous and when we were ready to run, there was a power problem with the controls.  For next Tuesdays run, it is important to test out the steering power of the magnets. We need to know how many windings we actually need to give us the steering necessary for the beam in the undulator. In addition, we want to set up BPMs along the 4m and try to propagate as best we can. The Joule meter will be installed and well see what radiation we get out.  In addition, there is a 2 week shutdown starting Feb. 7 and Robert will come out to do another laser interferometer alignment during that time.  We’ll try to get as much done as we can before then, but as expected with commissioning, it takes a runs to find out what else needs to be done.

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Computer and Control System (REPORTED BY BOB MALONE)

 

VISA EXPERIMENT:

Control displays and software were ready for the first VISA runs on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Two small errors in control windows were detected and corrected immediately during the Tuesday run.  Operators now have control of all VISA devices (flippers, pop-in monitors and steering power supplies.)

Items which are still outstanding:

1)   Add special logic to prevent potential problems with pop-in monitors.

This logic will allow insertion of the mechanical stop only when the flag is the fully retracted position.  This will avoid possible damage to the pop-in mechanism if the operator does not enter the proper sequence of operations.

2)   Questions still remain about the steering power supplies.

Marc Montemagno found that the supplies have a very long time constant when requested to move to a new setpoint.  This was verified independently of the control system/software by using an external signal source to drive the power supply.  Investigation will continue next week with Mark, Aaron (and his contacts at SLAC) and myself.

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Technical Operations (REPORTED BY BILL CAHILL)

During these first few weeks of the New Year, a large effort was placed on the VISA experiment. The vacuum system has been completed and the pressure is acceptable.(x10-7). The ATF technical staff devoted all of their time and effort in meeting the schedule for commissioning. Marc Montemagno has spent considerable hours building control chassis’ for pop-ins and camera control, installing and terminating all of the wiring for the pop-ins and BPM’s. He also finished the camera assembly wiring and installed all of the air lines for the pneumatic system. The steering magnet coils have been terminated and the optics are being installed on the table. The Panduit cable trays  for wire and air lines have been attached and installed to the table. All of the wiring for the euro-crate power supplies and CAMAC interfacing have been terminated and  installed. A serious problem with the Euro-crate power supplies. It turns out that in addressing a command current, the units appear to overshoot and drift. Upon investigation it looks as if it is a design flaw. Aaron is aware of the problem, he will be contacting California for advice. The Terawatt laser discharge cell is being dismantled for welding modifications. Bob Harrington is working full time in the disassembly to meet the rigging and central shops schedule of 02/01/2000. 

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Last Modified: December 3, 2007
Please forward all questions about this site to: Vitaly Yakimenko