Abstract

We review the various free-electron lasers expected to furnish radiation in the visible and ultraviolet. At Orsay, we achieved laser oscillation between 6500 and 4400 Å. The existing gain is sufficient to reach 3500 Å. Experiments in progress at this photon energy are reported. We also describe the recent observation of coherent radiation at 1700 Å using an external laser to bunch the electron beam and produce harmonics.

© 1987 Optical Society of America