Laser Electron Accelerator Program

		Laser Electron Accelerator Program Team members: Robert Byer, Eric Colby, Ben Cowan, Peter Hommellhoff, Tomas Plettner, Chris Sears, Robert Siemann
Research Current Patents Publications Byer Group Courses Byer Group Resources Ginzton Laboratory HEPL Photonics Research Stanford University Directions Home Contact: Ginzton Laboratory Stanford University 450 via Palou Rm 283 Stanford, CA 94304-4088 650-723-0227 tel 650-723-2666 fax rlbyer@stanford.edu		Our main research objective focuses on the development of high-gradient structure loaded vacuum accelerator structures driven with high-repetition rate tabletop near IR lasers. In the recent past we have succeeded in observing the linear laser-electron interaction effect in a semi-free-space configuration. In the next three years, we propose to develop and demonstrate the worlds first laser-driven micro-accelerators, built from scalable, economical technologies. We will probe their technical limites, including gradient, acceptance, and emittance preservation, and will explore the means to improve each. In the process we will investigate at a fundamental physical level the nature of energy exchange between charged particles and fields, and will illuminate the basic mechanisms of ultrafast breakdown of dielectrics. We will apply semiconductor and fiber-optic manufacturing techniques to accelerator structure design to produce and demonstrate an entirely new class of near-field dielectric micro-structures usable for both acceleration and beam diagnosis. We have recently conducted a proof of principle experiment that demonstrated acceleration of relativistic electrons by modelocked laser radiation. Laser acceleration opens a path to TeV scale physics because of the higher gradient and luminosity of a future laser accelerator. Further, a table top laser accelerator, followed by a single pass FEL, provides a new approach to attosecond physics in the X-ray spectral region. Tomas Plettner, PhD List of Publications

Our main research objective focuses on the development of high-gradient structure loaded vacuum accelerator structures driven with high-repetition rate tabletop near IR lasers. In the recent past we have succeeded in observing the linear laser-electron interaction effect in a semi-free-space configuration. In the next three years, we propose to develop and demonstrate the worlds first laser-driven micro-accelerators, built from scalable, economical technologies. We will probe their technical limites, including gradient, acceptance, and emittance preservation, and will explore the means to improve each. In the process we will investigate at a fundamental physical level the nature of energy exchange between charged particles and fields, and will illuminate the basic mechanisms of ultrafast breakdown of dielectrics. We will apply semiconductor and fiber-optic manufacturing techniques to accelerator structure design to produce and demonstrate an entirely new class of near-field dielectric micro-structures usable for both acceleration and beam diagnosis.

We have recently conducted a proof of principle experiment that demonstrated acceleration of relativistic electrons by modelocked laser radiation. Laser acceleration opens a path to TeV scale physics because of the higher gradient and luminosity of a future laser accelerator. Further, a table top laser accelerator, followed by a single pass FEL, provides a new approach to attosecond physics in the X-ray spectral region.