Entry requirements

120 credits. Quantum Mechanics, Advanced Course or Introduction to Modern Physics or 90 credits in physics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• explain and present the basic physics of a free electron laser
• describe the performance and properties of free electron lasers and the generated radiation
• describe, illustrate by examples and compare methods to improve the performance of free electron lasers
• compare free electron laser laboratories around the world and the type of research driven at these facilities
• analyse applications of free electron lasers in various fields, ranging from atomic and molecular physics, plasma physics and structural biology
• demonstrate oral and written skills at presentatons of problems and literature studies

Content

Free electron laser physics: undulator radiation; theory of beam-wave interaction in free electron lasers; optical beams and guided modes; X-ray optics; free electron laser oscillators and high-gain free electron lasers; SASE free electron laser and methods of improving coherence of free electron lasers; photon diagnostics.

Free electron laser applications: long wavelength free electron lasers; X-ray free electron lasers; atomic and molecular physics applications; high energy density science; X-ray diffraction; biology applications; ultrafast X-ray science.

Instruction

Lectures, problem-solving sessions, literature study, combined with seminars where students present research articles to each other.

Assessment

Written hand-in assignments and oral presentations at seminars. 

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.