Public Abstract

DE-SC0025583: 3D-Simulation and validation for a muti-functional university-scale light source in IR-THz wavelengths

Award Status: Active

Institution: University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
UEI: NSCKLFSSABF2
DUNS: 965088057

Most Recent Award Date: 09/18/2024
Number of Support Periods: 1
PM: Lessner, Eliane

Current Budget Period: 09/01/2024 - 08/31/2025
Current Project Period: 09/01/2024 - 08/31/2028
PI: Li, Siqi

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

3D-Simulation and validation for a muti-functional university-scale light source in IR-THz wavelengths Siqi Li, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (PI) Peter Gorham, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Co-I) Niels Bidault, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Key Personnel) Light sources spanning from the infrared (IR) to Terahertz (THz) range offer crucial capabilities for diverse scientific research and technological advancements, such as understanding fundamental molecular structures and dynamics, exploring semiconductor properties, and facilitating attosecond pulse generation for ultrafast dynamics studies. Despite notable advancements in existing IR/THz sources, challenges persist in achieving desired output beam properties such as high intensity, wavelength tunability, and coherence. The Free-electron laser (FEL) emerges as a promising solution to address these challenges, through the interactions between relativistic electrons traveling in an undulator and their radiation. The output radiation properties depend on a set of the electron beam and machine parameters, which creates potential for flexible tunability. Specifically, an FEL cavity where the undulator is placed in an optical cavity can impose longitudinal coherence on the output beam, which is in high demand for use in coherent spectroscopy, coherent quantum control, and novel imaging experiments. This proposal seeks funding for developing a 3D simulation code for FEL cavities, exploring advanced operation mode such as phase coherence, beam shaping, and superradiance, transferring knowledge to the x-ray cavity-based FEL studies through collaboration with SLAC, and synergizing accelerator-based machine learning approaches for beam optimization. The linear accelerator and FEL facility at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM) will be the testbed for experimental validation, and the collaboration between UHM and SLAC will benefit both institutions, especially in workforce development. The proposed program will not only advance IR/THz light source development and FEL research at UHM, offering a platform that integrates analytical and simulation studies with experimental validations, but also foster broader scientific impact through collaboration and knowledge exchange with SLAC. If funded, this research program will jumpstart an accelerator research program at UHM and contribute significantly to a variety of scientific applications.

3D-Simulation and validation for a muti-functional university-scale light source in IR-THz wavelengths

Siqi Li, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (PI)

Peter Gorham, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Co-I)

Niels Bidault, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Key Personnel)

Light sources spanning from the infrared (IR) to Terahertz (THz) range offer crucial capabilities for diverse scientific research and technological advancements, such as understanding fundamental molecular structures and dynamics, exploring semiconductor properties, and facilitating attosecond pulse generation for ultrafast dynamics studies. Despite notable advancements in existing IR/THz sources, challenges persist in achieving desired output beam properties such as high intensity, wavelength tunability, and coherence.

The Free-electron laser (FEL) emerges as a promising solution to address these challenges, through the interactions between relativistic electrons traveling in an undulator and their radiation. The output radiation properties depend on a set of the electron beam and machine parameters, which creates potential for flexible tunability. Specifically, an FEL cavity where the undulator is placed in an optical cavity can impose longitudinal coherence on the output beam, which is in high demand for use in coherent spectroscopy, coherent quantum control, and novel imaging experiments.

This proposal seeks funding for developing a 3D simulation code for FEL cavities, exploring advanced operation mode such as phase coherence, beam shaping, and superradiance, transferring knowledge to the x-ray cavity-based FEL studies through collaboration with SLAC, and synergizing accelerator-based machine learning approaches for beam optimization. The linear accelerator and FEL facility at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM) will be the testbed for experimental validation, and the collaboration between UHM and SLAC will benefit both institutions, especially in workforce development.

The proposed program will not only advance IR/THz light source development and FEL research at UHM, offering a platform that integrates analytical and simulation studies with experimental validations, but also foster broader scientific impact through collaboration and knowledge exchange with SLAC. If funded, this research program will jumpstart an accelerator research program at UHM and contribute significantly to a variety of scientific applications.