There are more than thirty thousand accelerators in the world starting from small-scale linear accelerators used for medical applications such as cancer therapy and non-destructive welding and other joint diagnostics in industry, large-scale third and fourth generation light sources used to probe the molecular and atomic properties of matter, and ending with giant “atom-smashers” such as Large Hadron Collider used to unlock the secrets of creation. Operation of these machines would simply be impossible without a comprehensive set of non-invasive diagnostics equipment revealing the properties of the beam and how it behaves in the machine. A vast majority of non-invasive diagnostics devices is based on electromagnetic (EM) radiation generated by charged particles passing by a condensed medium. On the other hand large-scale light sources utilising synchrotron radiation are very expensive and compete with compact accelerator based light generators affordable by a small industrial company or a university. The EM radiation is typically generated when a fast charged particle interacts with a condensed medium and generates radiation from keV to MeV region. The project is greatly motivated by a growing demand for powerful, compact, inexpensive and tuneable sources of EM radiation in the THz range for applications in research and medicine.
Polarisation Radiation appearing when a fast charged particle passes by a material is a well-recognised candidate for generating intense EM radiation beams with a very broad spectrum. Its characteristics are very sensitive to various beam parameters as well, which create an opportunity to develop non-invasive diagnostics. However, a simple tool capable of choosing an optimal radiator configuration, material, and observation geometry is still absent.
Research objectives:
- to investigate Cherenkov and Smith - Purcell mechanisms for THz radiation generation using EM simulation tools and propose the most efficient target configuration and an observation geometry;
- to build a radiation source that provides high peak power levels and based on a compact linear accelerator technology with a femtosecond duration beam;
- to evaluate the possible applications of the investigated radiation mechanisms for electron beam diagnostics and other promising applications;
- to provide the knowledge exchange between the partner organisations and other interested parties via seminars, satellite and progress meetings, conferences and workshops;
- to improve the public awareness about the ongoing research via outreach activities;
- to develop project management skills.
