Free electron laser with terahertz band Bragg reflectors

Abstract

Periodical Bragg structures may be considered as an effective way of controlling the electromagnetic energy fluxes and provision of spatially coherent radiation in the free electron lasers with oversized interaction space. A new scheme of terahertz band FEL with hybrid Bragg resonator is proposed consisting of advanced input Bragg mirror and traditional output Bragg mirror. An advanced Bragg mirror exploiting the coupling between the two counterpropagating modes and the quasicutoff one provides mode selection over the transverse index. The main amplification of the wave by the electron beam takes place in the regular section of the resonator. Small reflections from the output traditional Bragg mirror are sufficient for oscillator self-excitation.