Prat Eduard, Al Haddad Andre, Arrell Christopher, Augustin Sven, Boll Marco, Bostedt Christoph, Calvi Marco, Cavalieri Adrian L, Craievich Paolo, Dax Andreas, Dijkstal Philipp, Ferrari Eugenio, Follath Rolf, Ganter Romain, Geng Zheqiao, Hiller Nicole, Huppert Martin, Ischebeck Rasmus, Juranić Pavle, Kittel Christoph, Knopp Gregor, Malyzhenkov Alexander, Marcellini Fabio, Neppl Stefan, Reiche Sven, Sammut Nicholas, Schietinger Thomas, Schmidt Thomas, Schnorr Kirsten, Trisorio Alexandre, Vicario Carlo, Voulot Didier, Wang Guanglei, Weilbach Tobias
Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nat Commun. 2023 Aug 21;14(1):5069. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40759-z.
X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) are state-of-the-art scientific tools capable to study matter on the scale of atomic processes. Since the initial operation of X-ray FELs more than a decade ago, several facilities with upgraded performance have been put in operation. Here we present the first lasing results of Athos, the soft X-ray FEL beamline of SwissFEL at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Athos features an undulator layout based on short APPLE-X modules providing full polarisation control, interleaved with small magnetic chicanes. This versatile configuration allows for many operational modes, giving control over many FEL properties. We show, for example, a 35% reduction of the required undulator length to achieve FEL saturation with respect to standard undulator configurations. We also demonstrate the generation of more powerful pulses than the ones obtained in typical undulators. Athos represents a fundamental step forward in the design of FEL facilities, creating opportunities in FEL-based sciences.
X射线自由电子激光（FEL）是一种先进的科学工具，能够在原子过程尺度上研究物质。自十多年前X射线自由电子激光首次运行以来，已有多个性能得到提升的设施投入使用。在此，我们展示了阿托斯（Athos）的首次激光运行结果，阿托斯是瑞士保罗谢勒研究所（Paul Scherrer Institute）瑞士自由电子激光（SwissFEL）的软X射线自由电子激光束线。阿托斯具有基于短APPLE-X模块的波荡器布局，可实现全偏振控制，并与小型磁 chicane 交错排列。这种通用配置允许多种运行模式，从而能够控制许多自由电子激光特性。例如，我们表明，相对于标准波荡器配置，实现自由电子激光饱和所需的波荡器长度减少了35%。我们还展示了产生比典型波荡器中获得的脉冲更强大的脉冲。阿托斯代表了自由电子激光设施设计中的一个重要进步，为基于自由电子激光的科学创造了机会。
