超快X射线自由电子激光研究进展北大核心CSCD

现代光源的发展不断推动着人们从更深层次上理解物质的基本结构和动力学行为。X射线自由电子激光作为最先进的光源,其超高的峰值功率、超短的脉冲长度和优良的相干性,为人们以原子级时空分辨率探测和操控物质中的超快过程提供了可能。目前全世界已有多个X射线自由电子激光装置建成并投入使用,在原子分子物理、化学、生命科学、材料科学等各学科应用中都显示出了重要价值。同时大量的研究工作也集中于继续提高X射线自由电子激光的性能,包括把脉冲持续时间从fs量级进一步缩短至as量级,这将为超快科学的发展带来新突破。以超快脉冲产生为主线,综述了近年来超快X射线自由电子激光产生方案的研究进展,从产生原理、方案特性、最新成果等方面介绍了各类产生方案,总结对比了各方案的优缺点,最后对超快X射线自由电子激光的未来发展方向进行了展望。

Research advances in ultrafast X-ray free-electron lasers

Advances in modern light sources continue to improve our understanding of the fundamental structure and microscopic dynamics of matter. As the most advanced light source, X-ray free-electron lasers provide the brightest X-rays with ultrahigh peak power, ultrashort pulse length, and excellent coherence, making it possible to detect and manipulate ultrafast processes in atomic and molecular systems. X-ray free-electron laser facilities in operation worldwide have shown great value in the application fields of physics, chemistry, biology, material science, etc. Furthermore, many efforts have focused on improving the performance of X-ray free-electron lasers, including reducing the pulse duration from femtosecond to attosecond for opening new frontiers in ultrafast science. This paper mainly reviews the recent progress of ultrafast X-ray free-electron lasers and summarizes various schemes in terms of their generation mechanisms, unique properties and latest results. Finally, it predicts the future development of ultrafast X-ray free-electron lasers.