A DIELECTRIC-BASED, GeV/m CROSSED-LASER-BEAM ELECTRON LINEAR ACCELERATOR*

The acceleration gradient of a conventional RF accelerator is limited to about 50 MeV/m. To generate TeV electrons for next generation high energy physics, an RF accelerator would require a distance exceeding 20 km. In this paper, we propose a dielectric-based, multistaged, laser-driven electron linear accelerator operating in a vacuum that is capable of providing 1 TeV electrons in 1 km. Our study shows that GeV/m gradient and luminosity of ~ 10 cm ⋅ − sec 1 are achievable using two focused crossed-laser beams, repeated every 330 μm, operated at a peak laser power of 0.2 GW per accelerator stage, a repetition rate of ~ 30 kHz, and an energy density of less than 2 J cm on optical components for 100 fsec laser pulses. Cylindrical focusing shows a higher acceleration gradient than spherical focusing under the same laser damage threshold on optical components. Our three-dimensional computer simulations indicate superior electron beam characteristics from the proposed accelerator structure. The accelerator structure can be fabricated on silicon substrates by using modern lithographic technology. *This manuscript represents the second of two lectures on “Laser Technology and Astrophysics” given by R. L. Byer at the 1994 Summer School.