Optimization and Coding of a LCLS Control Program

SLAS’s, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) also known as X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) is the first X-ray laser of its kind. It gave Scientist from around the world the unique ability to observe the world at a subatomic level. Allowing for major advancements in the field of biological chemistry, drug science, material science and many more. Since the LCLS is a fairly unique scientific instrument, the demand for its use by the scientific community has always been high since it turned on back in 2009. This means that any and all time that the laser is not being used for experimentation is not only a travesty for the community but costly for the SLAC facility. To lessen the systems down time we are developing an optimization program that utilized the Powell\u27s conjugate direction method to find the ideal settings for the system. Currently the program tries to determine the ideal taper for the undulater hall’s magnets to best increases the power output. The work so far has primarily been to determine new ways to speed up this optimization program either through new programing methods or by gaining a new understanding of the LCLS’s complicated system. In this way we hope to improve the programs robustness, its ability to find the correct solution, and decrease the LCLS’s down time