Three-dimensional analysis of the surface mode supported in \v{C}erenkov and Smith-Purcell free-electron lasers

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive 3D analysis of surface modes in ce9renkov and Smith-Purcell FELs, including attenuation effects, to optimize electron beam parameters for efficient THz radiation generation.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed 3D Maxwell-Lorentz model for these FELs, accounting for attenuation, and identifies key electron beam requirements for operation.

Findings

Determined beam emittance, size, and current thresholds for FEL operation.

Analyzed the impact of attenuation on surface mode behavior.

Provided guidelines for electron beam parameter optimization.

Abstract

In \v{C}erenkov and Smith-Purcell free-electron lasers (FELs), a resonant interaction between the electron beam and the co-propagating surface mode can produce copious amount of coherent terahertz (THz) radiation. We perform a three-dimensional (3D) analysis of the surface mode, taking the effect of attenuation into account, and set up 3D Maxwell-Lorentz equations for both these systems. Based on this analysis, we determine the requirements on the electron beam parameters, i.e., beam emittance, beam size and beam current for the successful operation of a \v{C}erenkov FEL.