Characterizing the Temporal Structure of a Relativistic Electron Bunch

Using proper beam energy chirp and the undulator detuning effect, we propose a modified optical replica synthesizer scheme to characterize the temporal structure of a relativistic electron bunch, which predicts a 100-fs temporal resolution in numerical simulation. The proof of principle experiment demonstrates a peak current of 9 A and a slice energy spread of about 0.5 keV for the uncompressed electron beam of the Shanghai Deep UV Free Electron Laser Facility.