Abstract

We discuss the high gain regime of a FEL, the transition from spontaneous to stimulated emission, and its application to the production of short wavelength radiation, λ < 100nm. We will first review the different operation modes of a FEL: oscillator, self-amplified spontaneous emission and Transverse Optical Klystron. We will then discuss in more detail the self-amplified spontaneous emission , the characteristics of the radiation that can be produced in this mode and its possible advantages respect to an oscillator or a TOK.

© 1986 Optical Society of America