Abstract

The potential uses for a free-electron laser (FEL), tunable in wavelength from 10 to 400 nm, for photobiological experiments is discussed. Inherent problems of cell and molecular absorption, especially in certain regions of the ultraviolet (UV), are addressed. Absorption values for living cells and viruses at selected wavelengths in the UV are tabulated, and a calculation of the flux needed to inactivate mammalian cells is included. A comparison is made of the UV output of a proposed rf-linac FEL with those of a monochromator, a tunable dye laser, and a synchrotron. The advantages of a UV FEL are apparent, especially in the wavelength regions where the cross section for absorption by biological molecules is low, i.e., 300 to 400 nm and 10 to 200 nm. It is apparent that a UV FEL would be an ideal source for a variety of biological studies that use both intact organisms and isolated cells and viruses.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

Application of a two-color free-electron laser to condensed-matter molecular dynamics

Dana D. Dlott and Michael D. Fayer
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(5) 977-994 (1989)

Effects of introducing a gas into the free-electron laser

R. H. Pantell, A. S. Fisher, J. Feinstein, A. H. Ho, M. Özcan, H. D. Dulman, and M. B. Reid
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(5) 1008-1014 (1989)

Material applications of the far-infrared free-electron laser

John D. Simon, John E. Crowell, John H. Weare, and David R. Miller
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(5) 1035-1044 (1989)

Precision spectroscopy on stored, highly charged ions using free-electron-laser radiation

D. A. Church and S. D. Kravis
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(5) 1075-1078 (1989)

Applications of far-infrared free-electron lasers to condensed-matter physics

W. M. Dennis
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(5) 1045-1049 (1989)