The overall concept underlying the project is to bring together recent advances in the main technical FEL sub-systems, i.e. electron photo-injector, linac accelerating structures and undulators, to produce the design of a next-generation facility with significantly lower cost and size than existing facilities. This brings to the use of very low emittance and higher repetition-rate sources, high-gradient linacs, high-efficiency klystrons, improved diagnostics, advanced undulators, the whole facility is being simulated using the most advanced beam dynamics and optimization tools, allowing to design such a cutting-edge facility.
The project will deliver to the scientific community a conceptual design of a machine with unique performance parameters and beam characteristics. The report will also include cost analyses and other strategic documents that support the decision-making process for constructing new facilities, or upgrading existing ones, using CompactLight technologies. The project will furthermore consider the complementary use of the technology for small infrastructures, that can be installed and operated at universities. Project data not affecting the potential exploitation of results by the partners will be made accessible as Open Data to facilitate the use of the technologies.
The major goal of CompactLight is to make the construction and operation of X-ray FELs feasible for smaller countries, regions and universities. This will support their wide-spread availability, reducing oversubscription of existing machines, and creating more and unique research opportunities for the scientific users. Given the large importance of FELs their wide dissemination will have an enormous impact on many different research fields, create access opportunities in more countries, and contribute significantly to European scientific and industrial competitiveness. An important aspect is also the coordinated flow of expertise from Europe’s larger research institutions to the smaller ones with ambitions to engage in cutting-edge photon science.
Major technology areas benefitting from the project are (a) high brightness e-sources (b) rf production and beam acceleration, (c) high-precision diagnostics, (d) undulators and photon production, etc., each of them with large application potential that goes beyond CompactLight and with clear opportunities for industries.
The compactness and reduced energy requirements of the XLS facility have also important environment benefits, in particular a reduction of climate gas emission. Also, 51 young researchers have been involved in the project, with important benefits for educational and training.
