Seamless multistage laser-plasma acceleration toward future high-energy colliders

Recently there has been great progress in laser-driven plasma-based accelerators by exploiting high-power lasers, where electron beams can be accelerated to multi-GeV energy in a centimeter-scale plasma due to the laser wakefield acceleration mechanism. While, to date, worldwide research on laser plasma accelerators has been focused on the creation of compact particle and radiation sources for basic sciences, medical and industrial applications, there is great interest in applications for high-energy physics and astrophysics, exploring unprecedented high-energy frontier phenomena. In this context, we present an overview of experimental achievements in laser plasma acceleration from the perspective of the production of GeV-level electron beams, and deduce the scaling formulas capable of predicting experimental results self-consistently, taking into account the propagation of a relativistic laser pulse through plasma and the accelerating field reduction due to beam loading. Finally, we present design examples for 10-GeV-level laser plasma acceleration, which is expected in near-term experiments by means of petawatt-class lasers.

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Sources and space–time distribution of the electromagnetic pulses in experiments on inertial confinement fusion and laser–plasma acceleration

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences ◽

10.1098/rsta.2020.0022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 379 (2189) ◽

pp. 20200022 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F. Consoli ◽

P. L. Andreoli ◽

M. Cipriani ◽

G. Cristofari ◽

R. De Angelis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Fields ◽

High Power ◽

Laser Plasma ◽

Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽

High Energy ◽

Inertial Confinement ◽

Plasma Acceleration ◽

Electromagnetic Pulses ◽

Confinement Fusion ◽

Laser Plasma Acceleration

When high-energy and high-power lasers interact with matter, a significant part of the incoming laser energy is transformed into transient electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) in the range of radiofrequencies and microwaves. These fields can reach high intensities and can potentially represent a significative danger for the electronic devices placed near the interaction point. Thus, the comprehension of the origin of these electromagnetic fields and of their distribution is of primary importance for the safe operation of high-power and high-energy laser facilities, but also for the possible use of these high fields in several promising applications. A recognized main source of EMPs is the target positive charging caused by the fast-electron emission due to laser–plasma interactions. The fast charging induces high neutralization currents from the conductive walls of the vacuum chamber through the target holder. However, other mechanisms related to the laser–target interaction are also capable of generating intense electromagnetic fields. Several possible sources of EMPs are discussed here and compared for high-energy and high-intensity laser–matter interactions, typical for inertial confinement fusion and laser–plasma acceleration. The possible effects on the electromagnetic field distribution within the experimental chamber, due to particle beams and plasma emitted from the target, are also described. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

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