| High-power, pulsed, coherent, far-infrared (FIR) radiation has many scientific applications, such as pump-probe studies of surfaces, liquids, and solids, studies of high-{dollar}Tsb{lcub}c{rcub}{dollar} superconductors, biophysics, plasma diagnostics, and excitation of Rydberg atoms. Few sources of such FIR radiation currently exist. Superradiant undulator radiation produced at the SUNSHINE (Stanford UNiversity SHort INtense Electron-source) is such a FIR source.; Superradiant undulator radiation has been realized in the 45 {dollar}mu{dollar}m to 300 {dollar}mu{dollar}m spectral range by using sub-picosecond electron bunches produced by the SUNSHINE facility. The experimental setup and measurements of this FIR radiation are reported in this thesis. The peak radiated power is 10 to 40 kW, and the peak brightness is 10 to 12 orders of magnitude above that of a 2000 K blackbody.; Measured superlinear growth of the radiated energy along the undulator demonstrates the self-amplification of radiation by the electron bunch. This superlinear growth is seen at 47 {dollar}mu{dollar}m to 70 {dollar}mu{dollar}m wavelengths, and is the first such measurement at wavelengths less than 600 {dollar}mu{dollar}m. |
