Simulations of the TJNAF Free Electron Laser with a Negative Taper and Laser Damage Studies

The Free Electron Laser (FEL) is a candidate for a future close-in weapon system that will provide a longer protective range for missile destruction. The FEL is also tunable to wavelengths that would give good atmospheric transmission and optimal target absorption characteristics at the target. This thesis describes single-mode and multimode simulation results of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) FEL operating at far infrared wavelengths. The TJNAF FEL uses inverse tapering and is driven by 34.5 MeV and 47.5 MeV energy electron pulses. Steady-state power, weak-field steady state gain, electron beam energy spread and optical spectrum widths were explored as a function of the desyncinonism and tapering rate. The simulations described FEL pulse evolution and short pulse effects. The simulation results have been presented at an International Conference held at Duke University, Durham, NC in August 2000. in addition, the results of damage to Slip-cast Fused Silica samples by the TJNAF FEL, with and without the effect of airflow are analyzed. A comparison with older damage experiments was done in order to develop scaling rules in the future.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'Simulations of the TJNAF Free Electron Laser with a Negative Taper and Laser Damage Studies', published 2000 under ISBN 9781423532866 and ISBN 1423532864.