Characterization of the time structure of free-electron laser radiation

Abstract

Free-electron laser sources provide ultrashort pulses in the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray spectral regime with unprecedented brilliance and coherence properties. For experiments with these sources, photon diagnostics of individual pulses concerning pulse energy, spectral content, coherence properties, and pulse duration is mandatory. Among these pulse properties, the characterization of the pulse duration and in particular the temporal shape of the photon pulse coming from the FEL’s are very challenging. We will discuss different experimental approaches to obtain information on the temporal properties of FEL pulses.