Experimental characterization of nonlinear harmonic radiation from a visible SASE FEL at saturation

Nonlinear harmonic radiation was observed using the VISA SASE FEL at saturation. The gain lengths, spectra and energies of the three lowest SASE FEL modes were experimentally characterized. Both the measured harmonic gain lengths and center spectral wavelengths are shown to decrease with harmonic number, n, which is consistent with nonlinear harmonic theory. The measured energies for both second and third harmonics are about 1% of the fundamental; the strong second harmonic radiation (≈ 1 μJ) observed is unique for low energy SASE FELs. These experimental results demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of using nonlinear harmonic SASE FEL radiation to produce coherent, femtosecond X-rays.