Abstract

The development of linear-induction accelerator-driven free-electron lasers (FELs) has had a significant impact on the design of the power conditioning systems that drive linear induction accelerators. These power conditioning systems must generate precision high voltage pulses and deliver this energy to the electron beam through a series of induction accelerator cells. (FEL requirements have resulted in the need for tight specifications on the allowable pulse-to-pulse and intrapulse variations in electron beam energy.) The voltage regulation requirements for the output pulse and the maximum allowable timing variations between the electron beam and the accelerating pulse are driven from these beam energy specifications. Pulse-to-pulse voltage variations of ⪯0.04% with intrapulse energy variations of ⪯0.4% into nonlinear, timevarying loads are examples of how tight these requirements can be. Maximum allowable timing variations range from a couple of nanoseconds down to a few hundred picoseconds depending on the system. Strategic defense initiative and fusion energy applications will require high average power FEL operation. Such operation requires high average power, high repetition rate switching capabilities, methods to control output pulse variations arising from thermal effects, and improvements in system efficiencies. We address each of these issues and summarize current work of the Beam Research Program at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

© 1989 Optical Society of America