New coherent
radiation sources in the hard x-ray and Terahertz regimes promise exciting
new developments in science, as previously dark areas of the spectrum
are brightly illuminated. Ultra-short, ultra-bright radiation packets
can probe the structure of matter, and image chemical and biological
processes well beyond the present state of the art. Production of this
coherent radiation, however, places an unprecedented challenge on the
production and acceleration of high-quality electron beams. To deliver
a nano-Coulomb of charge with an emittance of less than 1 micron, while
transporting the beam through long sections of acceleration and compression,
is the prerequisite for unlocking the gates of this promising new science.
Using a low-energy electron storage ring, we deliberately enhance the
space charge force while slowing down the time-scale to easily measurable
levels so as to maximize our understanding of the particle dynamics
necessary for producing bright beams.