This thesis describes the experimental and theoretical basics of free electron laser science, serving as an excellent introduction for newcomers to this young field. Beyond that, it addresses electron-beam lifetimes in third-generation synchrotron light sources, in particular with a view to optimizing them in the forthcoming ESRF upgrade.

The lifetime of the electron beam in a storage ring is a measure of how fast electrons are being lost, and is thus an essential parameter determining the required injection frequency, which in turn affects beam stability and power consumption. The...