Future Directions of High Repetition Rate X-Ray Free Electron Lasers

Abstract

A new scientific frontier opened in 2009 when the world’s first X-ray free electron laser (FEL), the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) facility, began operations at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The scientific start of LCLS has arguably been one of the most vigorous and successful of any new research facility, with a dramatic effect on a broad cross section of scientific fields, ranging from atomic and molecular science, ultrafast chemistry and catalysis, fluid dynamics, clean energy systems, structural biology, high energy-density science, photon science, and advanced materials [1].