Nondestructive diagnostic for electron bunch length in accelerators using the wakefield radiation spectrum

We report the development of a nondestructive technique to measure bunch rms length in the psec range and below, and eventually in the fsec range, by measuring the high-frequency spectrum of wakefield radiation which is caused by the passage of a relativistic electron bunch through a channel surrounded by a dielectric. We demonstrate numerically that the generated spectrum is determined by the rms bunch length, while the specific axial and longitudinal charge distribution is not important. Measurement of the millimeter-wave spectrum will determine the rms bunch length in the psec range. This has been done using a series of calibrated mesh filters and the charge bunches produced by the 50 MeV rf linac system at ATF (Accelerator Test Facility), Brookhaven. We have developed the analysis of the factors crucial for achieving good accuracy in this measurement, and find the experimental data are fully understood by the theory. We point out that this technique also may be used for measuring fsec bunch lengths, using a prepared planar wakefield microstructure.