Possible operation of the European XFEL with ultra-low emittance beams

Recent successful lasing of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) in the hard X-ray regime and the experimental demonstration of a possibility to produce low-charge bunches with ultra-small normalized emittance have lead to the discussions on optimistic scenarios of operation of the European XFEL In this paper we consider new options that make use of low-emittance beams, a relatively high beam energy, tunable-gap undulators, and a multi-bunch capability of this facility. We study the possibility of operation of a spontaneous radiator (combining two of them, U1 and U2, in one beamline) in the SASE mode in the designed photon energy range 20-90 keV and show that it becomes possible with ultra-low emittance electron beams similar to those generated in LCLS. As an additional attractive option we consider the generation of powerful soft X-ray and VUV radiation by the same electron bunch for pump-probe experiments, making use of recently invented compact afterburner scheme. We also propose a betatron switcher as a simple, cheap, and robust solution for multi-color operation of SASE1 and SASE2 undulators, allowing to generate 2-5 X-ray beams of different independent colors from each of these undulators for simultaneous multi-user operation. We describe a scheme for pump-probe experiments, based on a production of two different colors by two closely spaced electron bunches (produced in photoinjector) with the help of a very fast betatron switcher. Finally, we discuss how without significant modifications of the layout the European XFEL can become a unique facility that continuously covers with powerful, coherent radiation a part of the electromagnetic spectrum from far infrared to gamma-rays. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.