UCLA, Los Angeles, California
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
USC, Los Angeles, California
Given the recent success of >GV/m dielectric wakefield accelerator (DWA) breakdown experiments at SLAC, and follow-on coherent Cerenkov radiation production at the UCLA Neptune, a UCLA-USC-SLAC collaboration is now implementing a new set of experiments that explore various DWA scenarios. These experiments are motivated by the opportunities presented by the approval of FACET facility at SLAC, as well as unique pulse-train wakefield drivers at BNL. The SLAC experiments permit further exploration of the multi-GeV/m envelope in DWAs, and will entail investigations of novel materials (e.g. CVD diamond) and geometries (Bragg cylindrical structures, slab-symmetric DWAs), and have an over-riding goal of demonstrating >GeV acceleration in ~33 cm DWA tubes. In the nearer term before FACET's commissioning, we are planning measurements at the BNL ATF, in which we drive ~50-200 MV/m fields with single pulses or pulse trains. These experiments are of high relevance to enhancing linear collider DWA designs, as they will demonstrate potential for high efficiency operatio with pulse trains.
JAEA, Kyoto
Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) is regarded as a basis for the next-generation of charged particle accelerators. In experiments, it has been demonstrated that LWFA is capable of generating electron bunches with high quality: quasi-monoenergetic, low in emittance, and a very short duration of the order of ten femto-seconds. Such femtosecond bunches can be used to measure ultrafast phenomena. In applications of the laser accelerated electron beam, it is necessary to generate a stable electron beam and to control the electron beam. A 40 fs laser pulse with the energy of 200 mJ is focused onto a supersonic gas jet. We succeed to generate a stable electron beam by using a Nitrogen gas target. The profile of the electron beam can be manipulated by rotating the laser polarization. When we use a S-polarized laser pulse, a 20 MeV electron beam is observed with an oscillation in the image of the energy spectrum. From the oscillation, the pulse width of the electron beam is calculated to at most a few tens fs. The direction of the electron beam can be controlled by changing the gas-jet position. The self-injected electron beam can be controlled by the control of the laser and gas jet.
Tech-X, Boulder, Colorado
Stanford University, Stanford, California
SLAC, Menlo Park, California
Photonic crystal waveguides are promising candidates for laser-driven accelerator structures because of their ability to confine a speed-of-light mode in an all-dielectric structure. Because of the difference between the group velocity of the waveguide mode and the particle bunch velocity, fields must be coupled into the accelerating waveguide at frequent intervals. Therefore efficient, compact couplers are critical to overall accelerator efficiency. We present designs and simulations of high-efficiency coupling to the accelerating mode in a three-dimensional photonic crystal waveguide from a waveguide adjoining it at 90 degrees. We discuss details of the computation, including an optimization routine to modify the geometric parameters of the coupler for maximum efficiency, the resulting transmission, and estimates of the fabrication tolerance for these devices. We include some background on the accelerator structure and photonic crystal-based optical acceleration in general.
IF-UFRGS, Porto Alegre
In this work the nonlinear relativistic propagation of intense lasers in plasmas is investigated. It is known that, under appropriate conditions, the ponderomotive force associated with the laser envelope can excite large amplitude electron waves (wakefields), which can be of interest for particle acceleration schemes. Numerical solutions showing some of the possible behaviors of this system are presented and compared to analytical ones, obtained through an effective potential approach using a one-dimensional Lagrangian formalism.
HHUD, Dusseldorf
National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan
By using multi-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we investigate the stability of proton beam acceleration in a two-specie ultra-thin foil. In this two-specie regime, the lighter protons are initially separated from the heavier carbon ions due to their higher charge-to-mass ratio Z/m. The laser pulse is well-defined so that it doesn't penetrate the carbon ion layer. The Rayleigh-Taylor-like (RT) instability seeded at the very early stage then only degrades the acceleration of the carbon ions which act as a "cushion" for the lighter protons. Due to the absence of proton-RT instability, the produced high quality mono-energetic proton beams can be well collimated even after the laser-foil interaction concludes.
IAP, Frankfurt am Main
GSI, Darmstadt
The concept of laser acceleration of protons by Target Normal Sheath Acceleration TNSA from thin foils could be used to produce a high intensity proton bunch. This proton bunch could be injected into a linac at energies of ten to several tens MeV. A CH- structure is suggested as the linac structure because of its high gradient. The motivation for such a combination is to deliver single beam bunches with quite small emittance values of extremely high particle number - in the order of 10 billion protons per bunch. Optimum emittance values for linac injection are compared with available, laser generated beam parameters. Options and simulation tools for beam matching by pulsed solenoid and CH- structure using LASIN and LORASR codes are presented.
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Plasma Physics Group, New Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi
A Gaussian whistler pulse is shown to cause ponderomotive acceleration of electrons in a plasma when the peak whistler amplitude exceeds a threshold value. The threshold amplitude decreases with the ratio of plasma frequency to electron cyclotron frequency ωp / ωc. However above the threshold amplitude the acceleration energy decreases with ωp / ωc. The electrons gain velocities about twice the group velocity of the whistler. For acceleration of electrons one requires a whistler pulse of ω > ωc/2. It is seen that to enhance the energy gain the value of peak laser amplitude should be above a threshold value.
INFN/LNF, Frascati (Roma)
After a short description of the Frequency Multiplication Scheme of the CLIC drive beam we present the impact of beam loading in the RF deflectors. First order scaling laws for the beam loading have been obtained to compare the effects in CLIC with those in the Test Facility CTF3. A dedicated tracking code has been written to study the multi-bunch multi-turn beam dynamics and the results are presented. Possible solutions to mitigate the beam loading effects such as the use of multiple RF deflectors are shown.
Rome University La Sapienza, Roma
INFN/LNF, Frascati (Roma)
ENEA C.R. Frascati, Frascati (Roma)
Protons generated by the irradiation of a thin metal foil by a high-intensity short-pulse laser have shown to posses interesting characteristics in terms of energy, emittance, current and pulse duration. They might therefore become in the next future a competitive source to conventional proton sources. Previous theoretical and numerical studies already demonstrated the possibility of an efficient coupling between laser-plasma acceleration of protons with traditional RF based beam-line accelerator techniques. This hybrid proton accelerator would therefore benefit from the good properties of the laser-based source and from the flexibility and know-how of beam handling as given from RF based accelerator structure. The proton beam parameters of the source have been obtained from published laser interaction experimental results and are given as input to the numerical study by conventional accelerator design tools. In this paper we discuss recent results in the optimization and design of the such hybrid schemes in the context of proton accelerators for medical treatments.
JAEA, Kyoto
APRI-GIST, Gwangju
ILE Osaka, Suita
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa
High-intensity laser and thin-foil interactions produce high-energy particles, hard x-ray, high-order harmonics, and terahertz radiation. A proton beam driven by a high-intensity laser has received attention as a compact ion source for medical applications. We have performed the high intensity laser-matter interaction experiments using a thin-foil target irradiated by Ti:sapphire laser (J-KAREN) at JAEA. In this laser system, the pulse duration is 40 fs (FWHM). The laser beam is focused by an off-axis parabolic mirror at the target. The estimated peak intensity is ~5x1019 W/cm2. We have developed on-line real time monitors such as a time-of-flight proton spectrometer which is placed behind the target and interferometer for electron density profile measurement of preformed plasma. We observed the maximum proton energy of ~7 MeV.
National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan
Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang
Center for Optical Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya
National University of Defense Technology, Graduate School, Changsha
National University of Defense Technology, Parallel and Distributed Processing, Changsha
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum
We have proposed a scheme for the generation of collimated proton beams from the interaction of an ultra-intense laser pulse with a rear hole target, which is studied by a 2.5D particle-in-cell (PIC) code PLASIM. When an ultraintense short laser pulse irradiates on such a target, the hot electrons will expand fast into the hole from the inner surfaces of the hole, and strong longitudinal sheath electric field and transverse electric field are produced. However, the plasma in the corners expand slower and be compressed strongly, and then a strong plasma jet is sprayed out from the corner with very high speed, which is just like what happened in armor piercing bullet due to the cumulative energy effect. The two jets extend into the hole and focus along the axis of the hole. At last, a high quality collimated proton beam can be obtained near the end of the hole along the propagation axis. It's found that the beam can propagate over a much longer distance without divergence. The effect of the hole diameter on the collimated proton beam is also investigated. Such target may serve as an important source for collimated proton beam in practical applications.
LPI, Moscow
Short pulses of electrons of femtosecond and attosecond duration are necessary for numerous applications: studying fast processes in physics, chemistry, biology and medicine*. Previous calculations revealed that it is possible to obtain such short bunches by applying quasi-static electric voltage to a needle placed into a laser focus**,***. This paper presents results of computer simulation of the electron bunch evolution for various parameters of the problem (quasi-static and laser electric fields, radius of curvature of the needle, velocity of electron emission etc.). Simple model for analytical calculation of bunch evolution was elaborated to precisely assess its shortening in the case when one can neglect space-charge forces in the bunch. Influence of velocity dispersion in the bunch due to emission process is discussed and the way to optimize the bunching was proposed. Bunch dynamics accounting for space-charge forces was studied using analytical solution of equation of motion.
* P.Emma. Proc. EPAC04, p. 225, Lucerne, Suisse.
** V.A.Papadichev. Proc. EPAC08, p. 2812, Genoa, Italy.
*** V.A.Papadichev. Proc. EPAC08, p. 2815, Genoa, Italy.
Lancaster University, Lancaster
The possibility of achieving higher accelerating gradients at higher frequencies with the reduction of the effect of HOMs, compared to conventional accelerating structures, is increasing interest in the possible use of Photonic Crystals (PC) for accelerator applications. In this paper we analyze how the properties of the lattice of a PC resonator can be engineered to give a specific band structure, and how by tailoring the properties of the lattice specific EM modes can either be confined or moved into the propagation band of the PC. We further go on to discuss the role of disorder in achieving mode confinement and how this can be used to optimize both the Q and the accelerating gradient of a PC based accelerating structure. We also examine the use of high disorder to give rise to Anderson Localization, which gives rise to exponential localization of an EM mode. Discussing the difference between the extended Bloch wave, which extends over the entire PC, and the Anderson localized mode.
Lancaster University, Lancaster
Cockcroft Institute, Lancaster University, Lancaster
In this paper we examine the effect of introducing an Electromagnetic metamaterial into a Travelling Wave structure to mediate inverse Cherenkov acceleration. Electromagnetic metamaterials are artificial materials that consist of macroscopic structures that yield an effective permittivity and permeability less than zero. The properties of metamaterials are highly frequency dependent and give rise to very novel dispersion relationships. We show that the introduction of a specifically designed metamaterial into the interaction region gives rise to a novel dispersion curve yielding a unique wave-particle interaction. We demonstrate that this novel wave-particle interaction gives rise energy exchange from wave to beam over an extended interaction regime. We also discuss the benefits and issues that arise from having a metamaterial in a high vacuum high power environment with a specific focus on the issue of loss in metamaterial structures.
UCLA, Los Angeles
Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York
The Micro-Accelerator Platform is an optical-wavelength microstructure for laser acceleration of particles, currently under development at UCLA. It is a slab-symmetric structure and can be constructed in layers using existing nanofabrication techniques. We present several possible fabrication techniques and preliminary experimental outcomes for manufacturing this structure.
UCLA, Los Angeles
PBPL, Los Angeles
Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York
This paper extends the physics of the Micro-Accelerator Platform (MAP), which is in development as an optical structure for laser acceleration of relativistic electrons. The MAP is a resonant, optical-scale, slab-symmetric device that is fabricated from dielectric materials using layer-deposition techniques. For stand-alone applications, low-energy electrons (beta ~ 0.3) must be synchronously accelerated to relativistic speeds for injection into the MAP. Even lower energies are desired for other particle species (e.g. protons or muons). In this paper, we present design and simulation studies on a tapered geometry and associated coupling scheme that can produce synchronous acceleration at beta < 1 within a MAP-like structure.
Euclid TechLabs, LLC, Solon, Ohio
Fermilab, Batavia
AES, Medford, NY
Use of a superconducting travelling wave accelerating (STWA) structure with a small phase advance per cell rather than a standing wave structure may provide a significant increase in the accelerating gradient in the ILC linac. For the same surface electric and magnetic fields the STWA achieves an accelerating gradient 1.2 larger than TESLA-like standing wave cavities. In addition, the STWA allows longer acceleration cavities, reducing the number of gaps between them. However, the STWA structure requires a SC feedback waveguide to return the few hundreds of MW of circulating RF power from the structure output to the structure input. A test single-cell cavity with feedback was designed and manufactured to demonstrate the possibility of a proper processing to achieve a high accelerating gradient. The first results of high-gradient tests of a prototype 1.3 GHz single-cell cavity with feedback waveguide will be presented.