Work

Robustness optimization for compact free-electron laser driven by laser wakefield accelerators

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Despite the successful demonstration of compact free-electron lasers (FELs) driven by laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs), the inherent shot-to-shot fluctuations in LWFAs, including both laser and plasma instabilities, remain a primary obstacle to realizing LWFA-driven FELs with robust operation. Here, we present a conceptual design for LWFA-driven FELs with sufficient tolerance against shot-to-shot fluctuations using the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy. Start-to-end simulations demonstrated that this systematic optimization resulted in a significant improvement in the robustness of FELs. With the optimized configurations, the radiation energy can be maintained above 1 µ J at a wavelength of approximately 25 nm, even when accounting for twice the root-mean-square ranges of these instabilities. This proposed scheme represents a substantial advancement in the development of compact LWFA-driven FEL systems, enabling robust operation and paving the way for the realization of reliable and widely accessible sources.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/2mn1-6tb4

Authors: Hai Jiang, Ke Feng, Runshu Hu, Qiwen Zhan, Wentao Wang, Ruxin Li

Institutions: University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, ShanghaiTech University

Language: English

Topic: Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences