Laser based technologies STEAM Segmented THz Accelerator and Manipulator

Key Facts Innovation

Advantages: The invention concerns a segmented terahertz Perfect synchronization o electron accelerator and manipulator (STEAM) o Compact and low-cost device device capable of performing multiple high-field o Ultrahigh fields operations on the six-dimensional phase space of Development Status: ultrashort electron bunches. This single device, o Complete demonstration of the powered by few-micro joule, single-cycle, THz pulses, performance over multiple days of enables electron acceleration, deflection, streaking, operation compression and focusing as well as real-time switching between these operation modes. Application: o Electron beam diagnostics This millimeter sized device can be easily integrated o Electron beam manipulation into big accelerator facilities to diagnose or o Compact accelerators manipulate the beam. In addition, it can be used to realize small and compact electron accelerators with Industrial Sector: improved cost and energy efficiency compared to o Electron sources conventional radiofrequency devices. o X-ray sources

Applications Fields Challenges

The invention concerns a segmented Until recently, RF waves have been the terahertz electron accelerator and conventional choice for powering accelerators manipulator (STEAM) device capable of due to the high degree of technical maturity of performing multiple high-field operations on the sources. However, RF-based accelerators the six-dimensional phase space of require costly infrastructures of large size and ultrashort electron bunches. This single power, limiting the availability of this key device, powered by few-microjoule, single- scientific resource. They also suffer from cycle, THz pulses, enables electron inherent difficulties in synchronization with acceleration, deflection, streaking, lasers, which lead to timing drifts on the 100 fs compression and focusing as well as real- scale between the , microwave time switching between these operation drivers and optical probes, limiting the modes. achievable temporal resolution. Strong motivation thus exists for exploring alternative This millimeter sized device can be easily technologies that are compact, more integrated into big accelerator facilities to accessible and adapted for pushing the diagnose or manipulate the beam. In resolution frontier, especially where lower addition, it can be used to realize small and levels of charge in the few picocoulombs compact electron accelerators with range or lower is sufficient. improved cost and energy efficiency compared to conventional radiofrequency devices.

Advantages

Owing to the terahertz operation In large-scale facilities, such as the European bandwidth, the field strengths in the device X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL), the Linac can be increased by over an order of Coherent Light Source (LCLS) or the Swiss magnitude, far exceeding those of free-electron laser (SwissFEL), the STEAM conventional radiofrequency devices. The devices can be used to add new, powerful and exceptional performance and compactness adaptable capabilities without major and of this terahertz-based device makes it therefore costly restructuring of the machine. very attractive for pursuing electron More significant are the advantages in terms sources, such as ultrafast electron of cost and accessibility that come from using diffractometers, that operate in the few- STEAM devices as the core components of an and sub femtosecond range. In the pursuit all-terahertz-powered compact, high-gradient of these sources, the demand is increasing accelerator with the ability to produce high- for compact, high-gradient diagnostics and quality, controllable bunches of femtosecond beam manipulation devices for novel and or attosecond duration on a table top. conventional accelerator platforms alike.

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DESY Innovation & Technology Transfer Dr. Ilka Mahns, Technology Transfer Office E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +49 40 8998-3647 www.desy.de