For single-pass free-electron lasers (FEL), such as amplifiers and SASE devices, saturation of the radiation power has to be reached within the length of the undulator. Therefore, detailed knowledge of electron beam parameters is crucial. So far, simulations have been performed with a given rms emittance and energy spread. At short radiation wavelengths, hunch compressors are used to compress the electron beam to achieve the desired high peak currents. In addition, external focusing along the entire undulator is used to maintain a constant small radius. The rotation of phase space due to compression might lead to a significant part of the bunch in tails that could increase the gain length. Furthermore, it is in general not possible to match both the beam core and the tail to the focusing structure. In this contribution, the influence of these tails, both transverse and in energy, on the FEL performance will be investigated. Simulations will be performed for beam parameters that have been assumed for the TESLA Test Facility FEL at DESY. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
