This thesis details studies to develop methods for the generation of ultra-short pulse of light to enable the study of ultra-fast phenomena. The main contents are: an overview of methods of light sources and applications; a review of the physics of the free-electron laser, and its resultant properties; a review of existing and proposed methods of generating ultra-short pulses from free-electron lasers; a study into the physics of the mode-locked amplifier FEL technique, including its use to amplify an HHG source while retaining the pulse train structure, an explanation of the role of electron beam modulation in the technique, specification of alternative modulation methods, and a simplified model to describe the behaviour; and lastly a proposal for a method to generate x-ray laser pulses with duration approaching the zeptosecond range, two orders of magnitude shorter than the current record, including detailed modelling and analytic description.
| Date of Award | 7 Jan 2016 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Supervisor | Brian McNeil (Supervisor) & Gordon Robb (Supervisor) |
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