New coherent radiation sources in the hard X-ray and Terahertz regimes promise exciting new developments in science, as previously dark areas of the spectrum are brightly illuminated. Ultra-short, ultra-bright radiation packets can probe the structure of matter, and image chemical and biological processes well beyond the present state of the art. Production of this coherent radiation, however, places an unprecedented challenge on the production and acceleration of high-quality electron beams. To deliver a nano-Coulomb of charge with an emittance of less than one micron, while transporting the beam through long sections of acceleration and compression, is the prerequisite for unlocking the gates of this promising new science. Using a low-energy electron storage ring, we deliberately enhance the space charge force while slowing down the time-scale to easily measurable levels so as to maximize our understanding of the particle dynamics necessary for producing bright beams.
A brief history of short wavelength coherent radiation sources
