THz driven injection for high-quality high-gradient novel acceleration
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Bunching of particle beams driven by laser-generated terahertz pulses offers a route to femtosecond control of electron beams surpassing current radio-frequency capability. Following on from our recent international-first demonstrations of THz-driven acceleration of relativistic beams, we will undertake a proof-of-concept demonstration of THz-driven compression of high energy electron beams. The achievement of THz-driven compression will provide few-femtosecond duration electron beams with femtosecond-level synchronisation control. Such a capability will enable controlled injection into novel acceleration schemes, such as the plasma wakefield acceleration of AWAKE, and the attainment of the beam quality and high energy necessary for high-energy physics. It will also enable revolutionary improvements in accelerator based light sources, and in ultrafast electron diffraction.
Planned Impact
This project will develop high gradient accelerating/deflecting structures with high quality beams beyond the capabilities of all current technology. This technology could be utilised for any application requiring a large gradient and/or compact size. When utilised for bunching THz linacs can deliver very compact bunch lengths which can be coupled to other novel accelerator technologies.
As well as allowing high energy linacs for scientific purposes the technology will also allow very compact accelerators for medical, security and industrial uses. This will allow higher energy compact linacs opening up new application areas.
As well as allowing high energy linacs for scientific purposes the technology will also allow very compact accelerators for medical, security and industrial uses. This will allow higher energy compact linacs opening up new application areas.
Organisations
Publications
Apsimon Ö
(2021)
Six-dimensional phase space preservation in a terahertz-driven multistage dielectric-lined rectangular waveguide accelerator
in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams
Georgiadis V
(2021)
Dispersion in dielectric-lined waveguides designed for terahertz-driven deflection of electron beams
in Applied Physics Letters
Hibberd M
(2019)
Magnetic-field tailoring of the terahertz polarization emitted from a spintronic source
in Applied Physics Letters
Hibberd M
(2020)
Acceleration of relativistic beams using laser-generated terahertz pulses
in Nature Photonics
Hibberd M
(2019)
Terahertz-driven acceleration of a relativistic 35 MeV electron beam
Mosley CDW
(2023)
Large-area periodically-poled lithium niobate wafer stacks optimized for high-energy narrowband terahertz generation.
in Optics express
Nix L
(2024)
Terahertz-driven acceleration of subrelativistic electron beams using tapered rectangular dielectric-lined waveguides
in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams
Siaber SS
(2024)
Corrugated waveguide with matched phase and group velocities: an extended regime of wave-beam interaction.
in Optics express
| Description | Understanding of techniques for acceleration of low energy electron beams by thz frequency light sources. Proof of concept experiments on relativistic beams have confirmed that THz-driven modulation can have significant application to manipulation of high energy electron beams, and to the characterization of them on a 10fs time scale. |
| Exploitation Route | capability of the THz driven structures has been further confirmed. Provides a step towards wider use of THz & laser driven acceleration of low energy electron beams |
| Sectors | Other |
| Description | The findings have been the foundations for significantly larger (scale of participants and funding) project in the development of very-high gradient plasma acceleration. The findings have also been the foundation for a 3-year UKRI 'Early Stage Research' award (starting April 2024), targeted at increasing the TRL of THz-driven diagnostic devices. This new project will seek to engage commercial partners for commercialization of the THz concepts. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Other |
| Description | Cockcroft Phase 4 |
| Amount | £7,868,364 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/V001612/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Cryogenics systems for the development of a THz-driven electron injector and linac |
| Amount | £107,308 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/X005054/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |