On (2), I do know that FEL analysis of small samples such as the ones for protein structure analysis entails completely disintegrating them (off goes all the electrons, then the nuclei quickly realize they have nothing in common anymore and decide to go their separate ways), and analyzing the structure is done on the basis of reading the radiation scatter patterns from the instant between when the beam makes contact and when the molecule has utterly lost the structure in question.
I think it would be safe to say FEL isn't exactly non-destructive for hardware.
I think it would be safe to say FEL isn't exactly non-destructive for hardware.