High wavevector temporal speckle correlations at the Linac Coherent Light Source

We report on the feasibility of high wavevector temporal speckle correlation measurements at the world's first hard x-ray free electron laser, the Linac Coherent Light Source ( LCLS). Due to the chaotic nature of LCLS, the spectral profile of the x-ray radiation fluctuates on a pulse-to-pulse basis. Its impact on the determination of the single shot speckle contrast in a wide angle x-ray scattering geometry is investigated by analyzing FEL power spectra that are simulated based on the nominal operational parameters of LCLS. Ultimately, a potential scheme to deliver a single-mode hard x-ray pulse is proposed by using a narrow bandpass crystal monochromator. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America