High power THz sources and applications at ENEA-Frascati

ENEA has a long term expertise in the development of powerful short-pulse mm-wave and THz radiation sources driven by free electrons. Various electron-wave interaction schemes were successfully tested in the past, including Cerenkov and Smith-Purcell radiators as well as undulator devices. Two THz-FEL sources are currently available, covering altogether the spectral range from 90 GHz to 0.7 THz. Recently a novel Electro-Magnetic pulser, capable of providing both nanosecond THz electromagnetic (EM) radiation pulses and electrostatic (ES) pulses with identical time duration in one device has been designed and is currently under development. The pulser will allow, for the first time, direct comparison of EM and ES pulses on biological systems with peak electric fields that are significantly higher than any reported to date.