Optimum Beam Creation in Photoinjectors Using Space-charge Expansion∗

It has recently been shown that by illuminating a photocathode with an ultra-short laser pulse of appropriate transverse profile, a uniform density, ellipsoidally shaped bunch is dynamically formed, which then has linear space-charge fields in all dimensions inside of the bunch. We study here this process, and its marriage to the standard emittance compensation scenario that is implemented in most modern photoinjectors. It is seen that the two processes are compatible, with simulations indicating that a very high brightness beam can be obtained. The scheme has produced stimulus for a series of experiments at the SPARC injector at Frascati in 2006-2007. An initial time-resolved experiment has been performed involving Cerenkov radiation produced at an aerogel. We discuss the results of this preliminary experiment, as well as plans for future experiments to resolve the ellipsoidal bunch shape at low energy. Future measurements at high energy based on fs resolution RF sweepers are discussed.