Development of compact laser accelerators

Laser wakefield accelerators have the prospect to become the next generation of particle accelerators. A high intensity laser pulse generates a large amplitude plasma wave, which can accelerate particles at a rate more than thousands of times faster than conventional accelerators. As well as making the next generation of linear accelerator for high energy physics possible, this type of accelerator can have a range of other applications in technology and science. This studentship will investigate the development of a compact system that can generate electron beams in the 100's MeV energy range in the basement of the Blackett Laboratory. This system would be tested for a number of applications including generation of high energy particles and a driver for intense radiation and other light source applications.