CERN Accelerating science

Article
Title	Generation of Terahertz Radiation by Modulating the Electron Beam at the Cathode
Author(s)	Neumann, Jonathan ; Fiorito, Ralph ; O'Shea, P G
Affiliation	(IREAP, College Park, Maryland BNL, Upton, Long Island, New YorkBNL/NSLS, Upton, Long Island, New YorkSAIC McLean, McLean)
Publication	2004
In:	26th International Free Electron Laser Conference and 11th FEL User Workshop 2004, Trieste, Italy, 29 Aug - 3 Sep 2004, pp.e-proc. WEBOS02
Subject category	Accelerators and Storage Rings
Abstract	A bunched electron beam can be used to generate coherent radiation in a particle accelerator. This experiment, a collaboration between the University of Maryland and the Source Development Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory, uses a drive laser modulated at terahertz frequencies in an RF-photoinjecting electron accelerator to produce a bunched beam at the cathode. The experiment is designed to determine if such a scheme could be used to develop a compact, high power terahertz emitter. After acceleration to approximately 72 MeV, a mirror intercepts the beam. The backwards transition radiation from the mirror is measured with a bolometer. The experiment was conducted at various modulation frequencies and levels of charge.