Free-Electron Lasers: Status and Applications

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 292; no. 5523; pp. 1853 - 1858
• Main Authors: O'Shea, Patrick G., Freund, Henry P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for the Advancement of Science 08-06-2001; American Association for the Advancement of Science; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Biochemical Phenomena; Biochemistry; Biological Science Disciplines; Electromagnetic Fields; Electromagnetism; electron and ion optics; Electron beams; Electron radiation; Electrons; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Free electron lasers; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Laser beams; Laser power; Laser Therapy; Lasers; Light; Lighting; Magnetism; Photons; Physical Phenomena; Physics; Radiation by moving charges; Review; Wavelengths; Waves; Wiggler magnets; X- and γ-ray instruments and techniques; X- and γ-ray sources, mirrors, gratings and detectors; X radiation; Laser beam applications; Free electron lasers; Laser materials processing; Historical aspects; Radiation sources
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1055718

A free-electron laser consists of an electron beam propagating through a periodic magnetic field. Today such lasers are used for research in materials science, chemical technology, biophysical science, medical applications, surface studies, and solid-state physics. Free-electron lasers with higher average power and shorter wavelengths are under development. Future applications range from industrial processing of materials to light sources for soft and hard x-rays.