The effects of field errors on low-gain free-electron lasers

The effects of random wiggler magnetic field errors on low-gain free-electron lasers (FELs) are examined analytically and numerically through the use of ensemble averaging techniques. Wiggler field errors perturb the electron beam as it propagates and lead to a random walk of the beam centroid, variations in the axial beam energy, and deviations in the relative phase of the electrons in the ponderomotive wave. The random walk of the beam centroid and the consequent variations in the axial beam energy are discussed. The deviations in the relative phase resulting from the field errors are examined. The effect of the field errors on the FEL gain in the low-gain regime is determined. The benefits of beam steering are analyzed, and addition methods for reducing the detrimental effects of field errors are discussed