Simulation study of sub-femtosecond electron bunch generation using photocathode RF gun linac

Pulse radiolysis, a stroboscopic method involving the use of an ultrashort electron bunch and ultrashort light, is essential for the observation of ultrafast reactions. The time resolution of pulse radiolysis depends on the electron bunch length. At Osaka University, a 98-fs electron bunch was generated using a photocathode RF gun linac for the development of femtosecond pulse radiolysis. In order to improve the time resolution of pulse radiolysis, the feasibility of sub-femtosecond electron bunch generation using a photocathode RF gun linac and a magnetic bunch compressor was studied in a simulation. Increase in bunch length due to higher-order effects and bunch charge was investigated using the simulation codes PARMELA and ELEGANT.