Abstract
Novel laser-powered accelerating structures at the miniaturized scale of an optical wavelength [Formula: see text] open a pathway to high repetition rate, attosecond scale electron bunches that can be accelerated with gradients exceeding 1 GeV/m. Although the theoretical and computational study of dielectric laser accelerators dates back many decades, recently the first experimental realizations of this novel class of accelerators have been demonstrated. We review recent developments in fabrication, testing, and demonstration of these micron scale devices. In particular, prospects for applications of this accelerator technology are evaluated.
Highlights
Historical contextSince the first conceptualization of a laser-powered electron linear accelerator (linac) [1], various laser electron linac schemes have been proposed and demonstrated
We summarize the crucial technological developments and underlying physical principles of recently demonstrated microstructure dielectric laser accelerators (DLAs)
The motivation of the DLA is first outlined through the historical context of relevant scientific and technological developments
Summary
Since the first conceptualization of a laser-powered electron linear accelerator (linac) [1], various laser electron linac schemes have been proposed and demonstrated. Several experimental demonstrations have been made of electron acceleration by laser pulses at single-boundary structures, evading the Lawson-Woodward theorem [20,21,22,23,24] Such structures may prove useful as a diagnostic of femtosecond (and shorter) electron-photon interactions [25,26,27], they present practical difficulties in staging as a high-gradient laser-driven linear accelerator. The earliest proposal of a staged dielectric laser accelerator and focussing device was based on a periodic structure [31, 32] It employed absorptive thin metal gratings deposited onto flat dielectric surfaces. This structure functioned through the use of an amplitude mask with a period matching the wavelength of the incident electric field. DLAs have emerged at the interface of these blossoming technological developments
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