Compact coherent current and radiation source
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsWilliam S. Graves, Franz X. Kaertner, David E. Moncton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Coherent electronic current, which can be used to generate coherent radiation, is generated by first generating and transmitting an array of discrete electron beamlets from a nanocathode array along a longitudinal axis. The array of electron beamlets is then focused to reduce the spacing that separates the electron beamlets. The transverse-axis spacing of the electron beamlets is then transferred to the longitudinal axis via an emittance exchange beamline, creating a periodically modulated distribution of coherent electronic current. The coherent electronic current can then be directed into a stream of photons to generate coherent radiation.
Claims14
A method for generating coherent electronic current comprising:
- generating and transmitting an array of discrete electron beamlets along a longitudinal axis with spacing separating the electron beamlets across at least one transverse axis;
- focusing the array of electron beamlets to reduce the spacing that separates the electron beamlets;
- and
- transferring the transverse-axis spacing of the electron beamlets to the longitudinal axis via an emittance exchange beamline, creating a periodically modulated distribution of coherent electronic current.
An apparatus for generating coherent electronic current comprising:
- a nanocathode array configured to emit an array of electron beamlets along a longitudinal axis;
- microlenses positioned and configured to focus the array of electron beamlets so as to reduce spacing between the beamlets;
- an accelerator positioned and configured to receive and accelerate the array of electron beamlets along the longitudinal axis;
- a solenoid magnet positioned and configured to further focus the array of electron beamlets and to rotate the array of electron beamlets about the longitudinal axis;
- and
- an emittance exchange beamline positioned and configured to convert a transverses structure of the array of electron beamlets to a longitudinal structure along the longitudinal axis to produce a periodically modulated distribution of coherent electronic current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.