Attosecond electron and radiation pulse generation in the ion channel free-electron laser, based on the laser wakefield accelerators

背景：激光韦克菲尔德加速器是下一代具有独特参数的超紧凑辐射源的潜在基础。一个重要的参数是电子聚束长度，其持续时间可能为几阿秒。短的聚束持续时间还意味着非常高的高峰电流，这是自由电子激光器类装置（例如离子通道激光器（ICL））所需要的。这些装置是潜在的下一代辐射源，具有广泛的适用性;它们还对开发新型对撞机加速器产生影响。在斯特拉斯克莱德，我们有一个国家的最先进的设施（SCAPA），是一个系统的博士项目的理想选择，如建议。我们也是Cockcroft研究所的成员，因此可以接触到开发传统加速器和光源的研究人员。项目：该项目将有助于开发基于加速器的下一代相干辐射源，并将其参数范围扩展到阿秒持续时间，这将是前所未有的。对研究所涉及的基本物理学的理解也将有助于通过模拟激光-等离子体相互作用来理解天体物理事件。最先进的实验方法将用于测量聚束长度，例如通过测量相干跃迁辐射，并研究ICL辐射源中相干性的建立。这些将与在斯特拉斯克莱德开发的理论模型进行比较，作为ALPHA-X项目的一部分。学生将与理论和实验团队以及我们的合作者密切合作。实验将利用斯特拉斯克莱德的350 TW和40 TW SCAPA激光器，以及需要高功率或能量时的RAL-CLF和ELI激光器。该项目将有助于开发具有以下参数的超紧凑源：-聚束持续时间为10-100阿秒-能量从100 MeV到1 GeV-峰值电流超过10 kA-相干辐射从1埃到10纳米。

Background: Laser wakefield accelerators are potentially the basis for next-generation, ultra-compact radiation sources with unique parameters. An important parameter is the electron bunch length, which is potentially several attoseconds in duration. A short bunch duration also implies a very high peak current, which is required by free-electron laser like devices, such as the ion channel laser (ICL). These devices are potential next-generation radiation sources with wide applicability; they also have a bearing on the development of new types of accelerators for colliders. At Strathclyde, we have a state-of-the-art facility (SCAPA) that is ideal for a systematic PhD project, as proposed. We are also a member of the Cockcroft Institute and thus have access to researchers developing conventional accelerators and light sources.Project: The project will contribute to the development of next-generation of coherent radiation sources based on accelerators, and extend their parameter range to attosecond durations, which would be unprecedented. An understanding of the basic physics involved in the studies will also contribute to the understanding of astrophysical events, through analogue laser-plasma interactions. State-of-the-art experimental methods will be used to measure the bunch length, e.g. by measuring coherent transition radiation, and to study the build-up of coherence in the ICL radiation source. These will be compared with theoretical models developed at Strathclyde as part of the ALPHA-X project. The student will work closely with both theory and experimental teams, and our collaborators. Experiments will utilise the 350 TW and 40 TW SCAPA lasers at Strathclyde, and the RAL-CLF and ELI lasers when high power or energies are required. Plasma media and diagnostic systems will be developed for the experiments.The project will contribute to developing ultra-compact sources with the following parameters:-Bunch durations of 10-100 attoseconds-Energy from 100 MeV to 1 GeV-Peak currents in excess of 10 kA-Coherent radiation from 1 Angstrom to 10 nm.