CERN Accelerating science

Article
Title	Operation of the European FEL at ELETTRA Below 190 nm : A Tunable Laser Source for VUV Spectroscopy
Author(s)	De Ninno, G ; Allaria, E ; Curbis, F ; Danailov, M B ; Diviacco, B ; Marsi, M ; Trovò, M
Affiliation	(ELETTRA, Basovizza, Trieste CNR - IMIP, Trieste Laser Zentrum Hannover, Hannover)
Publication	2005
In:	27th International Conference on Free Electron Lasers, Palo Alto, CA, USA, 21 - 26 Aug 2005, pp.473
Subject category	Accelerators and Storage Rings
Abstract	Thanks to an intensive technological effort in the framework of the EEC Contract HPRI CT-2001-50025 (EUFELE), the European FEL at ELETTRA was able to break the previous record for the shortest wavelength of an FEL oscillator. Novel solutions were adopted for multilayer mirrors to allow FEL operation in the wavelength region between 160 and 190 nm, which is one of the main targets of the project. The characteristics of the FEL pulses measured at 176 nm (spectral profiles, high intensity, meV bandpass, MHz repetition rate) make it a competitive light source for spectroscopy, in particular for fluorescence studies in the VUV spectral range. Proof of principle experiments have been performed on different types of silica glasses, yielding information on the mechanisms of light absorption in this material.