X-ray Streak Cameras

The short an intense pulses produced by the European X-ray Free Electron Laser are very well suited to perform time resolved studies in the femto- to pico-second regime. It is therefore foreseen that a number of different X-ray Streak Cameras will be used at the different experimental stations. In addition to the experiments, X-ray Streak Cameras are foreseen in the machine for diagnostic and steering purposes.
In order to study the possible performances and limitations of both commercial and non-commercial systems a call for Proposals to Develop and Deliver Fast X-ray Streak Cameras was launched in early 2007 to the world wide detector developing community. In total 5 replies were received, 2 from commercial companies and three from research institutes. After careful analysis and consultation of external experts in the field it was concluded that:

• 1 pico-second time resolution is relatively standard.
• Time resolution down to 500 fsec seems feasible by optimization of existing systems.
• Time resolution below 500 fsec and down to 200 fsec needs new developments, but still using the same physical principles.
• Time resolution below 200 fsec needs the use of new physical principles, and will require significant R&D.
• Commercially available systems, have (promised) performances comparable to the systems developed at research institutes.
• The delivery times of systems for the 500 fsec to 1 psec are relatively short (less than 2 years).

Taking all this into account, as well as the fact that the European XFEL will start with a reduced budget as compared to the Technical Design Report the Project Team of the European XFEL decided:

• For the time being not to launch an R&D program on X-ray Streak Cameras for extreme time resolution.
• To postpone further action on X-ray Streak Cameras to a future date.