Application of Wigner Distribution Function for THz Propagation Analysis

Abstract

The construction of a transmission line (TL) for a wide tunable broad-spectrum THz radiation source is not a simple task. We present here a platform for the future use of designs of the TL through our homemade simulations. The TL is designed to be a component of the construction of an innovative accelerator at the Schlesinger Family Center for Compact Accelerators, Radiation Sources and Applications (FEL). We developed a three-dimensional space-frequency tool for the analysis of a radiation pulse. The total electromagnetic (EM) field on the edge of the source is represented in the frequency domain in terms of cavity eigenmodes. However, any pulse can be used regardless of its mathematical function, which is the key point of this work. The only requirement is the existence of the original pulse. This EM field is converted to geometric-optical ray representation through the Wigner transform at any desired resolution. Wigner’s representation allows us to describe the dynamics of field evolution in future propagation, which allows us to determine an initial design of the TL. Representation of the EM field by rays gives access to the ray tracing method and future processing, operating in the linear and non-linear regimes. This allows for fast work with graphics cards and parallel processing, providing great flexibility and serving as future preparation that enables us to apply advanced libraries such as machine learning. The platform is used to study the phase-amplitude and spectral characteristics of multimode radiation generation in a free-electron laser (FEL) operating in various operational parameters.