EuPRAXIA-DN capitalizes on the existing EuPRAXIA consortium and addresses some of the key scientific and technological challenges of this new research infrastructure across three scientific work packages.
The Laser and Plasma work package tackles the overall optimization of the accelerated electron beam by carrying out comprehensive studies into the optimization of the laser and plasma parameters. The production of high-quality electron bunches, in terms of their energy spectrum and emittance, is recognized as one of the main challenges for the development of innovative, plasma-based electron accelerators for a wide range of applications. It is crucial both for driving secondary sources and for the efficient development of multi-stage acceleration schemes delivering multi-GeV bunches. It heavily depends on the capability to inject bunches into the plasma wave in a well-localized and controlled manner. From simulations to experimental activities the Fellows have demonstrated promising results to improve the coupling of the laser with the plasma. Studies of the laser beam propagation before and in the plasma as well as investigations on the target itself have been conducted with the objective to meet the requirements for the quality and stability of the electron beam for industrial and medical applications.
The cutting edge EuPRAXIA facilities require unprecedented synchronization on the fs-level, as well as beyond state of the art diagnostics to fully characterize the beam. With the impact on novel and more compact X-band accelerating technologies, more compact and versatile facility and beamline designs are being developed. The Facility Design and Optimization work package targets an optimization of the design of laser- and beam-driven plasma accelerator facilities, specifically through the development of superior beam diagnostics and synchronization technologies as required for optimum beam quality. Research activities are carried out to study different diagnostics specifically designed for the characteristics of plasma accelerators as well as a prototype of a X-band Low level Radio Frequency (RF) front end system for more efficient accelerating technology.
Finally, in the Applications work package, network partners join forces to develop breakthrough scientific monitors and pave the way for innovative applications that show great economic and social promise. EuPRAXIA provides an exciting platform to explore new, highly flexible radiation sources which can allow proton and ion beams to be captured at energies significantly above the proton- and ion-capture energies that pertain in conventional facilities, thereby evading the current space-charge limit on the instantaneous dose rate that can be delivered. Within this work package, other methods of radiation production such as the one induced by the interaction of the electron beam with the intense laser beam from non-linear Thomson Scattering are also examined. Research towards a novel type of acceleration scheme with the THz-driven dielectric accelerators, and a new generation of light source with the laser-driven free electron laser are also underway, opening doors for numerous new applications in multidisciplinary fields.
