First lasing in an infrared free electron laser at RRCAT, Indore

Abstract

An Infrared Free Electron Laser (IR-FEL) designed to operate in the 12.5-50 μm wavelength band is presently in an advanced stage of commissioning at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore. Here we report results from first experiments on the IR-FEL after installation of its optical cavity, which has resulted in a power output that is ~105 times the expected spontaneous emission power for the beam parameters used in the experiment. The estimated out-coupled peak micro-pulse power during these experiments is ~2 kW. This is the first observed signature of lasing in the IR-FEL, and the first reported lasing in a FEL in India. This communication discusses the development of the IR-FEL, the recent experimental results, and the ongoing efforts to further increase the IR power to the design peak outcoupled power of 2 MW.