Three-dimensional analysis of prebunched electron beams in an x-ray free-electron laser

Abstract

The effect of partial prebunching of an electron beam on the saturation length, efficiency, and longitudinal coherence is studied for a nominal x-ray free-electron laser design. Results indicate that partial prebunching of as little as 1% results in substantial (1) shortening of the saturation length, (2) increases in the efficiency, and (3) improvement in longitudinal coherence.