Material Analysis Laboratory in KU-FEL, Kyoto University

Abstract

A mid infrared free electron laser (MIR-FEL) (5-20 μm) facility (KU-FEL: Kyoto University Free Electron Laser) has been constructed for contributing to researches on energy science at Institute of Advanced Energy (IAE), Kyoto University. The first laser power saturation at 13.2 μm was achieved in May 2008. Up to now 12∼14 μm FEL has been generated. The MIR-FEL, which is tunable and high peak power with a short pulse, could excite the molecular bond and the lattice vibration mode selectively or break a specific chemical bond. This is due to that wavelength of MIR-FEL match vibration modes of materials. The unique properties of MIR-FEL such as selective excitation of vibration mode can apply in biochemistry, chemistry, and solid physics. Therefore, in our facility, MIR-FEL is applied for the evaluation system, production of solar cell, research of photocatalyst and so on. For the research of energy science with using MIR-FEL, Material Analysis Laboratory (MAL) has constructed. The KU-FEL facility with the MAL is open to world-wide users.