Microscale Laser-Driven Particle Accelerator Using the Inverse Cherenkov Effect

Abstract

We propose a microscale dielectric laser-driven particle accelerator based on the inverse effect of Cherenkov radiation. It utilizes a parallel-polarized laser beam that is incident perpendicularly on a right-angle surface of a high-breakdown-threshold prism, at the hypotenuse surface of which the laser-induced waves are innately synchronized with incoming free electrons, providing them with a continuous acceleration force. Compared with radio-frequency accelerators, its acceleration gradient is remarkably higher and its size is orders of magnitude smaller. In contrast to previous dielectric laser accelerators based on the inverse Smith-Purcell effect, it is not susceptible to the spectral dispersion of the laser pulse, and it can provide a long duration of the synchronized accelerating field without using external pulse-front-tilting techniques. In addition, it effectively avoids electron deflection caused by transverse fields, greatly improving the acceleration capability. Thus, it affords a promising way of developing ultracompact and highly efficient accelerators on chip.