Abstract

Free-electron lasers (FELs) have a combination of physical properties that make them unique sources of broadly tunable photons. Encouraged by experimental operation of free-electron lasers in the visible and far-IR, several research centers are now designing and/or building devices to extend from the UV Into the extreme UV and soft x- ray regions. Below 300 nm, the peak- and average-power output of FEL oscillators should surpass the capabilities of any existing continuously tunable photon sources by many orders of magnitude. Such dedicated facilities promise to enhance the research capabilities of a number of scientific disciplines and Industrial applications.

© 1988 Optical Society of America