IR-FEL/XUV HHG hybrid experiments for molecular science

该项目的全球目标是建立与FEL源（自由电子激光器）同步使用高功率传统激光器的专业知识。实现这一目标的载体是一个XUV HHG（高谐波产生）源的建设，使用已经与ERLP一起可用的高强度超快激光。结合帝国理工集团在强大的领域科学和通过HHG连贯的XUV生成方面的广泛专业知识，以及4GLS团队的FEL专业知识，我们期望在这一领域实现世界领先的计划。博士生将在最好的环境中接受培训，以发展可应用于许多新兴设施的技能，这些设施将激光和基于加速器的光源相结合，以提供尖端的科学能力。此外，目标还包括设计高功率，可靠和可重复的HHG辐射，用于播撒未来的XUV FEL，如但不限于4GLS项目。在FEL环境中对研究人员进行HHG和高强度激光实验的培训将提供理想的专业知识组合，使个人不仅能够成为未来FEL光源的有效用户（所有这些光源都将同步高功率激光器作为基本元素），例如FLASH， 4GLS， XFEL和伯克利的未来机器以及SLAC，而且还可以在未来的第三代光源上进行实验，如DIAMOND。此外，该项目将动员英国最强大的超高速激光科学小组之一进入光源设施领域，这可能会带来长期的国家利益。这个项目的规模和范围非常理想，可以让帝国集团积极参与第四代光源社区，从而发展未来的项目。我们对该提案的愿景及其与下一代设施用户呼叫的一致性的一个重要方面是，在这个项目中隐含的是，未来的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，而且还应扩大他们的培训，使其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.