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Magnet Photo

Laser-powered micro accelerator

Abstract: For some time it has been realized that scaling particle accelerators to optical frequencies presents new opportunities for the nearly ubiquitous use of charged particle beams. Various efforts are underway, albeit far too few, to achieve high gradient particle acceleration in both laser powered and wakefield driven dielectric structures. I will use my own work on the Micro Accelerator Platform (MAP) as an example of the various challenges faced by this class of accelerating structure. The MAP has design parameters similar to other such structures: laser powered; 800 nm period; gap (equivalent to the iris diameter in a conventional linac) of 800 nm; ~1 GV/m gradients; fC-pC charge per bunch; ~10 fs bunch lengths. The MAP and its ilk face hurdles ranging from fabrication technologies to sub-micron beam manipulation. The diagnostics required are demanding, a rich area of work, and overlap well with proposed next generation light source beams. Despite the barriers, these devices hold great promise. In speculating on applications and end uses, which span from colliders to compact light sources to medical devices, I will draw from a number of examples. Finally, I will use this seminar as a bully pulpit to advocate for dielectric accelerators in general.
Speaker: Gil Travish - UCLA
Speaker Bio: Gil Travish is an Associate Researcher at UCLA working with the Particle Beam Physics Laboratory (PBPL). Dr. Travish received his Ph.D. from UCLA and has authored over 100 scientific publications. He has worked in beam physics, radiation production and accelerator technology for the past 15 years including: the first high-gain FEL experiments (UCLA); first saturation of a visible high-gain FEL (ANL); development and operation of numerous RF photoinjectors; extensive development of drive lasers, diagnostics and magnet systems for high-brightness beams; and, the design, construction and integration of new accelerator projects in multiple laboratories worldwide. His current work includes the Micro Accelerator Platform, a laser-driven optical-scale accelerator, as well as other dielectric-based accelerator-structures for next generation high energy physics, light source and novel device applications.
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