The Drive Laser for the APS LEUTL FEL Rf Photoinjector

The APS LEUTL free-electron laser (FEL) is a high-gain, short-wavelength device requiring a high-current, low-emittance beam. An rf photoinjector driven by a laser is used to provide the requisite beam. The drive laser consists of a diode-pumped Nd:Glass oscillator and a chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system consisting of a grating stretcher, a flashlamp-pumped Nd:Glass regenerative amplifier, and a grating compressor. The system generates 4-mJ pulses in the IR with a pulse length as short as 2 ps FWHM and a repetition rate of 6 Hz. Nonlinear doubling crystals are used to generate fourth-harmonic output of ~500 μJ in the UV (263 nm), which is required to exceed the work function of the copper cathode in the gun. This paper describes the drive laser as well as the extensive controls implemented to allow for remote operation and monitoring. Performance measurements as well as the operating experience are presented.