Laboratory for Non-linear Optics (LNO)
We develop and operate state-of-the-art laser systems for driving the high brightness electron source of the Hard X-ray Swiss Free Electron Laser (SwissFEL), and for pump-probe experiments at the photon-science beamlines. We improve and extend these systems according to the user requirements.
We pursue in-house research activities at the Hard X-ray Swiss Free Electron Laser (SwissFEL) and Swiss Light Source (SLS) beamlines exploiting LNO’s laser facilities. We perform R&D on laser-driven electron sources in close collaboration with PSI’s accelerator division.
Latest Scientific Highlights and News
Scientific Highlights
Two-color x-ray free-electron laser by photocathode laser emittance spoiler
A novel and noninvasive method for high-energy two-color x-ray FEL emission was demonstrated at SwissFEL. In the experiment, a laser emittance spoiler pulse is overlapped with the primary photocathode laser pulse to locally spoil the beam emittance and inhibit the FEL emission from the central part of the beam, ultimately resulting in X-ray emission at two wavelengths. High spectral stability and the possibility to independently control the duration and intensity ratio between the two-color X-ray pulses is demonstrated. The laser emittance spoiler also enables shot-to-shot selection between one and two-color FEL emission and further, as it does not contribute to beam losses, it is compatible with high repetition-rate FELs.
Structural involvement in the melting of the charge density wave in 1T-TiSe2
The authors find using resonant and non-resonant x-ray diffraction on an x-ray free electron laser that the structural distortion and the underlying electronic structure of the charge density wave in TiSe2 show different energetics at ultrafast timescales. This indicates that the lattice distortion stabilizes the charge density wave.
Clocking the movement of electrons inside an atom
Scientists pioneer an approach called self-referenced streaking, clocking Auger electrons with sub-femtosecond resolution. The breakthrough will unlock the broader potential for attosecond time resolution at X-ray free-electron lasers