FEL diagnostics and user control

The most recent upgrades and improvements to the free-electron laser (FEL) facility FELIX are presented. Special attention is paid to the improved beam-handling and diagnostic station. In this evacuated beam station a device is implemented that is capable of selecting single micropulses with measured efficiencies of more than 50% over the whole wavelength range of FELIX (5-110 mu m). Furthermore, the broadband autocorrelator for micropulse length measurements and the planned continuous polarization rotator based on reflective optics are discussed. Recent additions to the ancillary equipment available to FEL users are presented briefly. The most important ones are the mirror-dispersion-controlled 10-fs Ti:sapphire laser and the 40-T magnet. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.