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Guided post-acceleration of laser-driven ions by a miniature modular structure

Author

Listed:
  • Satyabrata Kar

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast)

  • Hamad Ahmed

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast)

  • Rajendra Prasad

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Mirela Cerchez

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Stephanie Brauckmann

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Bastian Aurand

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Giada Cantono

    (Largo B. Pontecorvo 3)

  • Prokopis Hadjisolomou

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast)

  • Ciaran L. S. Lewis

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast)

  • Andrea Macchi

    (Largo B. Pontecorvo 3
    Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Research Unit Adriano Gozzini)

  • Gagik Nersisyan

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast)

  • Alexander P. L. Robinson

    (Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot)

  • Anna M. Schroer

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Marco Swantusch

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Matt Zepf

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast
    Helmholtz Institut Jena
    Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Universität Jena)

  • Oswald Willi

    (Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität)

  • Marco Borghesi

    (School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast)

Abstract

All-optical approaches to particle acceleration are currently attracting a significant research effort internationally. Although characterized by exceptional transverse and longitudinal emittance, laser-driven ion beams currently have limitations in terms of peak ion energy, bandwidth of the energy spectrum and beam divergence. Here we introduce the concept of a versatile, miniature linear accelerating module, which, by employing laser-excited electromagnetic pulses directed along a helical path surrounding the laser-accelerated ion beams, addresses these shortcomings simultaneously. In a proof-of-principle experiment on a university-scale system, we demonstrate post-acceleration of laser-driven protons from a flat foil at a rate of 0.5 GeV m−1, already beyond what can be sustained by conventional accelerator technologies, with dynamic beam collimation and energy selection. These results open up new opportunities for the development of extremely compact and cost-effective ion accelerators for both established and innovative applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Satyabrata Kar & Hamad Ahmed & Rajendra Prasad & Mirela Cerchez & Stephanie Brauckmann & Bastian Aurand & Giada Cantono & Prokopis Hadjisolomou & Ciaran L. S. Lewis & Andrea Macchi & Gagik Nersisyan &, 2016. "Guided post-acceleration of laser-driven ions by a miniature modular structure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10792
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10792
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