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

Satyabrata Kar (), Hamad Ahmed, Rajendra Prasad, Mirela Cerchez, Stephanie Brauckmann, Bastian Aurand, Giada Cantono, Prokopis Hadjisolomou, Ciaran L. S. Lewis, Andrea Macchi, Gagik Nersisyan, Alexander P. L. Robinson, Anna M. Schroer, Marco Swantusch, Matt Zepf, Oswald Willi and Marco Borghesi
Additional contact information
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
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
Oswald Willi: Institut für Laser-und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Marco Borghesi: School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10792

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