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abstract:
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The RF photoinjector, when coupled with a magnetic pulse compression system, is now an ubiquitous tool for production of sub-picosecond electron beam pulses which are to be used in advanced accelerator and light source experiments. As the time-scale for both pulse lengths and synchronization to external systems approaches the femtosecond level, a clear understanding of the longitudinal dynamics of the electron injector is required. This paper presents an analysis of the longitudinal beam dynamics of electron bunches in the photoinjector/compressor system from birth at the photocathode, through their initial violent acceleration in the RF gun, and subsequent phase space manipulation in the post-acceleration linac and magnetic chicane. The phenomena of phase focusing due to RF forces, and defocusing due to longitudinal space-charge, are discussed, as is the process of magnetic pulse compression. The issues relevant to synchronization of electron pulses with external lasers are examined, using the examples of beat-wave acceleration and Compton light sources, and solutions involving appropriate compressor configurations are proposed. Diagnosis of the relevant physical effects in such schemes is discussed.
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