User Operation of Sub-Picosecond THz Coherent Transition Radiation Parasitic to a VUV FEL

Coherent transition radiation is enhanced in intensity and extended in frequency spectral range by the electron beam manipulation in the beam dump beam line of the FERMI FEL, by exploiting the interplay of coherent synchrotron radiation instability and electron beam optics [1]. Experimental observations at the TeraFERMI beamline [2] confirm intensity peaks at around 1 THz and extending up to 8.5 THz, for up to 80 µJ pulse energy integrated over the full bandwidth. By virtue of its implementation in an FEL beam dump line, this work might stimulate the development of user-oriented multi-THz beamlines parasitic and self-synchronized to VUV and X-ray FELs.