Laser-driven wakefield accelerators: electron beams for fundamental and applied research

Résumé fourni par la source

Laser-driven wakefield accelerators constitute a powerful platform for generating secondary radiation and particle beams with exceptional spatiotemporal properties (typically at the micrometer and femtosecond scales) and peak brightness. These distinctive characteristics offer unique opportunities to probe and manipulate matter across multiple fundamental scales, from nuclear and particle physics to chemical and biological systems. The intrinsic flexibility of laser–plasma interactions allows precise control over beam parameters and, by tailoring the interaction conditions, selective production of different particle and radiation soruces, including x-rays, gamma rays, electrons, positrons, and muons. For example, the coupling of laser-wakefield–accelerated electron beams with ultra-intense laser fields has recently opened access to previously unexplored regimes of strong-field quantum electrodynamics. This progress has culminated in the observation of quantum effects in radiation reaction and underpins forthcoming experimental efforts aimed at realising laboratory studies of Breit–Wheeler pair production in both the linear and nonlinear regimes. Beyond fundamental physics, proof-of-principle experiments have demonstrated the significant potential of plasma-based accelerators in many interdisciplinary areas such as radiobiology, materials science, and advanced collider concepts. In this talk, we present an overview of recent advances in the application of laser-wakefield–accelerated electron beams to both fundamental and applied research, highlighting the versatility, scalability, and transformative potential of plasma-based accelerator technology.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.