Beam Production Optimal Outcome:
To develop the understanding, materials, and technology necessary to produce the brightest possible electron beams across the wide span of beam currents, pulse durations, and operating environments demanded by forefront scientific research and emerging technological applications.
Beam Production Roadmap. Download PDF here.
Objective 1: Develop photocathodes for high peak-intensity beam generation with < 5 meV Mean Transverse Energy
Deliverable: A photocathode with 20 meV MTE at operational laser fluences ( to be completed by Fall 2024).
Deliverable: A photocathode with 5 meV MTE at operational fluences (to be completed by Fall 2026)
Objective 2: Design materials for long-lived cathodes in extreme electric field and high average current
Deliverable: Develop highly robust protective coatings or new materials that extend the photocathode lifetimes with little degradation in either QE or MTE. (to be completed by Fall 2025).
Objective 3: Approach fundamental brightness limits with nanostructured photoemitters
Deliverable: An electron source with normalized transverse mittances approaching the fundamental limit of 0.2 pm set by the uncertainty principle for single electron per bunch beams (to be completed by Fall 2026).
Deliverable: Use nano-structure arrays to deliver pm-emittances for higher charge per bunch. (to be completed by Fall 2026).
