Laser-plasma accelerator group

Abstract:

We report on, to the best of our knowledge, the first results of laser plasma wakefield acceleration driven by ultrashort mid-infrared (IR) laser pulses (𝜆=3.9 μm, 100 fs, 0.25 TW), which enable near- and above-critical density interactions with moderate-density gas jets. Relativistic electron acceleration up to ∼12 MeV occurs when the jet width exceeds the threshold scale length for relativistic self-focusing. We present scaling trends in the accelerated beam profiles, charge, and spectra, which are supported by particle-in-cell simulations and time-resolved images of the interaction. For similarly scaled conditions, we observe significant increases in the accelerated charge, compared to previous experiments with near-infrared (𝜆=800 nm) pulses.

Abstract:

The Horizon 2020 Project EuPRAXIA (“European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence In Applications”) is preparing a conceptual design for a highly compact and cost-effective European facility with multi-GeV electron beams using plasma as the acceleration medium. The design includes two user areas: one for FEL science and one for High Energy Physics (HEP) detector development and other pilot applications. The accelerator facility will be based on a laser and/or a beam driven plasma acceleration approach. This contribution introduces layout considerations of the future plasma accelerator facilities in the context of EuPRAXIA. It compares conventional and novel plasma accelerator facility requirements and presents potential layouts for the future site. Together with performance analysis, cost effectiveness, and targeted user cases of the individual configurations, such layout studies will later enable a ranking of potential configurations. Based on this information the optimal combination of technologies will be defined for the 2019 conceptual design report of the EuPRAXIA facility.

Abstract:

© 2018 The Author(s). Discharge capillary-based active plasma lenses are a promising new technology for strongly focusing charged particle beams, especially when combined with novel high gradient acceleration methods. Still, many questions remain concerning such lenses, including their transverse field uniformity, limitations due to plasma wakefields and whether they can be combined in multi-lens lattices in a way to cancel chromaticity. These questions will be addressed in a new plasma lens experiment at the CLEAR User Facility at CERN. All the subsystems have been constructed, tested and integrated into the CLEAR beam line, and are ready for experiments starting late 2017.