The Felstron: An Electrostatic Accelerator Fel Oscillator Power Source For Linear Colliders

Electrostatic free electron lasers (FELs) operating in the oscillator mode have been demonstrated to be extremely efficient sources of coherent electromagnetic (laser) radiation. Output wavelengths between tens of microns and a few centimeters are achievable. The average power of these devices can be quite large (100s of kW). Linear colliders require high peak power as well as high average power. By storing the laser energy of an electrostatic FEL oscillator in a resonant cavity, and then employing a cavity dump, extremely high peak output power is obtainable. The high efficiency, accessible wavelength range, large average power and high peak power make electrostatic accelerator FELs excellent candidates for linear collider power sources. © 1992