Balance of bunch compression and emittance preservation for high-brightness x-ray free electron laser injectors

This paper presents two conceptual low-energy injector configurations optimized for high-brightness, high-repetition-rate XFELs. The designs were evaluated at a nominal bunch charge of 150 pC using multiobjective optimization techniques and further assessed through start-to-end simulations incorporating collective effects to determine their suitability for delivering high-brightness beams under FEL-relevant conditions. One of the injector design configurations employs a hybrid rf and magnetic compression scheme, while the second relies solely on two-stage rf compression. Start-to-end simulations through the main linac, including collective effects, were performed to assess the suitability of each design for meeting XFEL requirements. The results highlight the critical role of longitudinal charge distribution symmetry in maintaining beam quality during acceleration and compression, and demonstrate that appropriately balancing compressibility, emittance preservation, and phase space linearity is essential for meeting the stringent demands of XFEL operation.