Workshop Working Groups

Laser Plasma Acceleration - Plasma Acceleration Subgroup:
Group-Leader: Eric Esarey, LBNL (EHEsarey@lbl.gov)
Co-Group-Leader: Sergey Tochitsky, UCLA (sergei12@ucla.edu)

This group will focus on the physics issues relevant to the design and modeling of a laser-driven, plasma-based accelerator stage for the production of high-energy (1 GeV or higher), high-quality electron bunches. After reviewing the current status of the various methods for plasma wave generation, guiding of laser beams (in collaboration with the Laser-Plasma Acceleration: Plasma Guiding Sub-group), and electron injection, this WG will focus on one or more promising designs that are most likely to yield a single, 1 GeV plasma accelerator stage. Such a laser-plasma accelerator stage requires a method for generating large amplitude plasma waves using laser pulses, a method for guiding laser pulses over a sufficiently long distance, and a method for injecting electrons into the plasma wave for acceleration to high energy. Methods for plasma wave generation include the laser wakefield accelerator in the standard and self-modulated regimes, the plasma beat-wave accelerator, and highly nonlinear regimes involving one or more drive pulses. Methods for guiding laser pulses include preformed density channels and relativistic self-focusing, and these topics will be discussed jointly with the Subgroup on Plasma Guiding. Methods for electron injection include external injection of ultra-short electron bunches, transverse and longitudinal wave breaking, and laser injection using one or more additional pulses. Electron injection methods will be discussed jointly with the working Group on Beam Generation, Monitoring, and Control. Joint sessions with other Working Groups, such as with Computational Accelerator Physics, are also envisioned.

Resent research results on the above topics, theoretical, numerical, and/or experimental, are appropriate for presentation. These include results on laser pulse propagation and evolution, laser-plasma instabilities, accelerated electron spectra, etc. Topics for discussion include issues affecting the design, modeling and experimental demonstration of a 1 GeV stage, including limitations arising from pump depletion, electron dephasing, beam loading, and coupling efficiency.