Special Monday edition - The UK XFEL project: Next-generation XFEL science and technology opportunities and facility development

by Dave Dunning (STFC Daresbury Laboratory, UK), Jon Marangos (Imperial College London)

Monday 7 Oct 2024, 13:00 → 14:00 Europe/Berlin

XHQ / E1.173 (European XFEL )

The UK is conducting a multi-stage project to analyse the case for major investment into XFELs, either through developing a new facility in the UK or by investing at existing machines. The project’s 2020 Science Case identified a clear need for `next-generation’ XFEL capabilities, including near-transform limited x-ray pulses across a wide range of photon energies and pulse durations, evenly spaced high-repetition rate pulses, and a full array of synchronised sources: all as part of a high-efficiency facility with a step-change in the simultaneous operation of multiple end stations. The project is developing a conceptual design to meet these requirements, significantly aided by collaboration with international XFELs. It is also guided by an extensive ongoing user engagement programme of Town Hall meetings and other activities (see https://xfel.ac.uk). Professor Jon Marangos will present the science and technology impact of XFELs and the opportunities with a next generation facility, while Dr David Dunning will talk about translating the science requirements to facility design choices.