Classical Theory of Free-Electron Lasers

Since their invention in the early 1970s, free-electron lasers (FELs) have been established as important sources of tunable, high-power, and high-quality laser radiation. This book develops the classical theory of FELs in sufficient depth to provide both a solid understanding of FEL physics and a solid background for contemporary research in the field. Topics of interest include detailed analyses of small-signal gain, laser saturation, harmonic lasing, mode-locked laser theory, and covers the entire range of FEL operation from spontaneous radiation through to saturation. The text is written at a level appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and numerous examples are included throughout to illustrate the application of analytical results. The organization of the text, and the good analytical detail, should be especially helpful to students and researchers who wish to learn about FELs or pursue further study of the fascinating subject of electron beam-based light sources.