We report recent results on the performance of FLASH (Free Electron Laser in Hamburg) operating at a wavelength of 13.7 nm where unprecedented peak and average powers for a coherent EUV radiation source have been measured. In the saturation regime the peak energy approached 170 µJ for individual pulses while the average energy per pulse reached 70 µJ. The pulse duration was in the region of 10 femtoseconds and peak

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Many scientific disciplines ranging from physics, chemistry and biology to material sciences, geophysics and medical diagnostics need a powerful X-ray source with pulse

Starting with Volume 165, Springer Tracts in Modern Physics is part of the [SpringerLink] service. For all customers with standing orders for Springer Tracts in Modern Physics we offer the full text in electronic form via [SpringerLink] free of charge. Please contact your librarian who can receive a password for free access to the full articles by registration at: springerlink.com If you do not have a standing order you can nevertheless browse online through the table of contents of the volumes and the abstracts of each article and perform a full text search.There you will also find more information about the series. Springer Tracts in Modern PhysicsSpringer Tracts in Modern Physics provides comprehensive and critical reviews of topics of current interest in physics. The following fields are emphasized: elementary particle physics, solid-state physics, complex systems, and fundamental astrophysics. Suitable reviews of other fields can also be accepted. The editors encourage prospective authors to correspond with them in advance of submitting an article. For reviews of topics belonging to the above mentioned fields, they should address the responsible editor, otherwise the managing editor. See also springer.com This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. Managing EditorThe use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: Integra Software Services PvtPrinted on acid-free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 springer.comThis book is dedicated to the memory of the late Björn H. Wiik who has been the driving force behind the superconducting linear collider project TESLA and the ultraviolet and X-ray free-electron laser projects at DESY. His determination, skilfull leadership and constant encouragement have been vital for the success of the superconducting cavity development and the construction of the free-electron laser FLASH. PrefaceThe high scientific interest in coherent X-ray light sources has stimulated world-wide efforts in developing X-ray lasers. In this book a particularly promising approach is described, the free-electron laser (FEL), which is pursued worldwide and holds the promise to deliver ultra-bright X-ray pulses of femtosecond duration. Other types of X-ray lasers are not discussed nor do we try a comparison of the relative virtues and drawbacks of differe...

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