Measured free-electron laser microbunching using coherent transition radiation

The microbunch distribution of an electron beam exiting a SASE free-electron laser has been measured using the emitted coherent transition radiation (CTR) produced from a thin aluminum foil placed at the end of the undulator. The wavelength of the coherent transition radiation is shown to be the same as the FEL wavelength, and thus a measure of the beam microbunch spacing. Also, the study of the CTR linewidth and angular acceptance of the radiation captured are shown to be derived from this coherent radiative process. Scattering effects on the forward emitted transition radiation from the electron beam traversing an aluminum foil are also considered.