Time-resolved electron spectrum diagnostics for a free-electron laser

Time-resolved electron-beam diagnostics have been developed for use with free-electron lasers (FELs) and associated electron sources, based on the techniques of secondary electron emission and optical transition radiation (OTR). The 32-channel OTR detector forms part of a high-resolution (0.18%) electron spectrometer with a time resolution of 50 ns. Variable-magnification optics allow the spectrometer to view single-macropulse spectra with widths in the range of 0.2%-7%; wider spectra are taken with several momentum settings. Design criteria for the spectrometer are presented, and experience of operating with the diagnostics over a range of FEL physics experiments is summarized. The spectrometer is used, in conjunction with optical diagnostics, in studies at FELIX of efficiency enhancement, pulse chirping, and stepped-undulator operation. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.