%0 Thesis %A CHARLES, TESSA KATHLEEN %D 2017 %T Studies in Bright Electron Beams for Free Electron Lasers %U https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Studies_in_Bright_Electron_Beams_for_Free_Electron_Lasers/5080918 %R 10.4225/03/59378efcb14d2 %2 https://bridges.monash.edu/ndownloader/files/8619046 %K Free Electron Laser %K Caustics %K Emittance %K Beam Control %K Particle Accelerators %K Accelerator Physics %K Non-linear Dynamics %K Applied Physics %X This thesis investigates some key factors that threaten to degrade the beam quality in a type of particle accelerator known as a Free Electron Laser (FEL). In particular, focus was drawn to the electron beam emittance as it is of critical importance to the final x-ray spectral brightness produced by the Free Electron Laser. A technique was developed to suppress electron beam instabilities, which results in greatly improved Free Electron Laser performance, ultimately enabling more high-impact research at FEL facilities. %I Monash University