Laser applications in Particle Accelerator Science

This project involves investigating the applications of modern laser technology to particle accelerator science, directed specifically at novel accelerator methods such as laser plasma wakefield acceleration. This includes research into techniques for increasing the interaction length of laser plasma accelerators beyond the diffraction limit by using high power lasers to generate field ionised plasma channels for guiding laser pulses to drive large amplitude wakefields at high repetition rates. It also encompasses research into coherent combination techniques for generating high average and peak power laser pulses for high repetition rate acceleration utilising large mode area photonic crystal fibre laser amplifiers. It is anticipated that this research will also enable the application of laser based beam diagnostics to conventional accelerators as an additional benefit of developing improved laser sources.