Jochen R. Schneider

Title

Science at Single Pass X-Ray Free Electron Lasers$

Abstract

Free-Electron Lasers provide flashes of coherent X-rays of 10 femtoseconds duration with intensities as high as what we get today at the best synchrotron radiation sources per second. They allow for the first time investigations of matter with atomic resolution in space and time and, in the long term, open the door to investigating electrons, atoms and molecules at work. Based on recent experience gained at the Free Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) operating in the spectral range of the VUV the requirements for successful experiments will be discussed. Examples include experiments on atoms, highly charged ions and on clusters, as well as the first demonstration that a fully interpretable diffraction pattern can be obtained by one flash of 25 femtoseconds duration before the sample heats up to about 60000 K and evaporates .