The NIST-NRL Free-Electron-laser Facility

A free-electron-laser facility (FEL) is being constructed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The NIST-NRL FEL will provide a powerful, tunable light source for research in biomedicine, materials science, physics and chemistry. Anticipated performance of the FEL is: (1) wavelength variability from 200 nm to 10 /spl mu/m, (2) continuous train of 3 ps pulses at 66 MHz, and (3) average power of 10 to 200 W. This excellent performance will be achieved primarily because of the unique characteristics of the electron source, the NIST-LANL racetrack microtron (RTM). The RTM will provide a continuously pulsed electron beam with high brightness and low energy spread at energies from 17 to 185 MeV. Construction of the RTM is nearing completion, and a new injector to increase the peak current has been designed. A 3.64 m undulator is under construction, and the 9 m optical cavity is being designed. An experimental area is being prepared for FEL users, which will have up to five stations. Initial operation of the FEL is scheduled for 1991.