Determining the polarization state of an extreme ultraviolet free-electron laser beam using atomic circular dichroism

T. Mazza, M. Ilchen, A. J. Rafipoor, C. Callegari, P. Finetti, O. Plekan, K. C. Prince, R. Richter, M. B. Danailov, A. Demidovich, G. De Ninno, C. Grazioli, R. Ivanov, N. Mahne, L. Raimondi, C. Svetina, L. Avaldi, P. Bolognesi, M. Coreno, P. O'KeeffeM. Di Fraia, M. Devetta, Y. Ovcharenko, Th Möller, V. Lyamayev, F. Stienkemeier, S. Düsterer, K. Ueda, J. T. Costello, A. K. Kazansky, N. M. Kabachnik, M. Meyer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ultrafast extreme ultraviolet and X-ray free-electron lasers are set to revolutionize many domains such as bio-photonics and materials science, in a manner similar to optical lasers over the past two decades. Although their number will grow steadily over the coming decade, their complete characterization remains an elusive goal. This represents a significant barrier to their wider adoption and hence to the full realization of their potential in modern photon sciences. Although a great deal of progress has been made on temporal characterization and wavefront measurements at ultrahigh extreme ultraviolet and X-ray intensities, only few, if any progress on accurately measuring other key parameters such as the state of polarization has emerged. Here we show that by combining ultra-short extreme ultraviolet free electron laser pulses from FERMI with near-infrared laser pulses, we can accurately measure the polarization state of a free electron laser beam in an elegant, non-invasive and straightforward manner using circular dichroism.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3648
JournalNature communications
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Apr 16

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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