IR-FEL/XUV HHG hybrid experiments for molecular science

该项目的全球目标是在使用与自由电子激光源(自由电子激光器)同步的高功率常规激光器方面积累专业知识。实现这一目标的工具是使用与ERLP一起已有的高强度超快激光来构建XUV HHG(高次谐波产生)源。将帝国理工学院团队在强场科学和通过HHG产生连贯的XUV方面的广泛专业知识与4GLS团队的自由电子激光专业知识相结合，我们预计将在这一领域实现世界领先的计划。这位博士生将在尽可能好的环境中接受培训，以开发可应用于许多新兴设施的技能，在这些设施中，基于激光和加速器的光源相结合，提供尖端科学能力。此外，目标包括设计高功率、可靠和可重现的HHG辐射，用于播种未来的XUV FEL，例如但不限于4GLS项目中的XUV FEL。培训HHG研究人员和在FEL环境中进行高强度激光实验将提供专业知识的理想组合，使该个人不仅能够有效使用未来的FEL光源(所有这些光源都将同步高功率激光作为基本元件)，例如闪光灯、4GLS、XFEL和伯克利的未来机器以及SLAC，而且还将在未来的第三代光源上进行实验，如钻石。此外，该项目将动员英国最强大的超快激光科学小组之一进入光源设施领域，这可能会给国家带来长期利益。该项目的规模和范围是帝国集团积极参与第四代光源社区的理想选择，因此将促进未来计划的发展。我们对这项提议的愿景及其与下一代设施用户呼吁的一致性的一个重要方面是，这一项目隐含着未来设施用户将需要提高对光源技术的认识和专业知识，以提供世界级的科学。我们认为，仅仅培训新用户使用现有技术是不够的，还应扩大他们的培训范围，使其也包括发展未来技术的步骤。

The global aim of this project is to build expertise in the use of high power conventional lasers synchronised with FEL sources (free-electron lasers). The vehicle to achieve this is the construction of an XUV HHG (high harmonic generation) source using the high intensity ultra-fast laser already available alongside ERLP. Combining the extensive expertise of the Imperial College group in strong field science and coherent XUV generation via HHG with the FEL expertise of the 4GLS team we anticipate achieving a world leading programme in this area. The PhD student will train in the best possible environment for developing skills that can be applied to many emerging facilities where lasers and accelerator based light sources are combined to give cutting edge scientific capability. Moreover the objective includes engineering high power, reliable and reproducible HHG radiation for seeding future XUV FEL's such as, but not confined to, that in the 4GLS project.Training of a researcher in HHG and high intensity laser experiments in a FEL environment will provide an ideal combination of expertise to allow that individual to be an effective user of not only future FEL light sources (all of which incorporate synchronised high power lasers as an essential element), e.g. FLASH, 4GLS, XFEL and future machines in Berkeley as well as SLAC, but also future experiments on 3rd generation light sources like DIAMOND. Additionally the project will mobilise one of the UK's strongest ultra-fast laser science groups into the light sources facilities arena, this is likely to bring long-term national benefits. The scale and scope of this project is ideal for bringing the Imperial group into active engagement with the fourth generation light source community and will thus grow future programmes. An important aspect of our vision for this proposal and its the alignment with the Next Generation Facility Users Call is that it is implicit in this project that future facility users will need increased awareness and expertise of the light source technology in order to deliver world class science. It is in our view not enough merely to train new users in using existing technology but to stretch their training to include also steps in the development of future technology.