Dielectric laser acceleration of electrons in the vicinity of single and double grating structures—theory and simulations

Abstract

Dielectric laser acceleration of electrons close to a fused-silica grating has recently been observed [Peralta et al., Nature 503, 91 (2013); Breuer, Hommelhoff, PRL 111, 134803 (2013)]. Here we present the theoretical description of the near-fields close to such a grating that can be utilized to accelerate non-relativistic electrons. We also show simulation results of electrons interacting with such fields in a single and double grating structure geometry and discuss dephasing effects that have to be taken into account when designing a photonic-structure-based accelerator for non-relativistic electrons. We further model the space charge effect using the paraxial ray equation and discuss the resulting expected peak currents for various parameter sets.

Recent experimental results and future directions of the DLA single grating project

“…From a series of measurements, this signal was deduced to be an acceleration signal. A maximum acceleration gradient of 25 MeV/m was observed [1], matching well with simulations [2].…”

Method for computationally efficient design of dielectric laser accelerator structures

“…Several recently demonstrated candidate DLA structures consist of a planar dielectric structure that is periodic along the particle axis with either an semi-open geometry or a narrow (micron to sub-micron) vacuum gap in which the particles travel [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. These structures are then sideilluminated by laser pulses.…”

“…In previous works, candidate DLA geometries were optimized for maximum acceleration gradient by scanning through parameters of a specified structure geometry [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. However, this strategy has limited potential to produce higher acceleration gradient structures because it only searches a small portion of the total design space.…”

Summary report of working group 3: Laser and high-gradient structure-based acceleration

“…J. McNeur of Erlangen University presented recent experiments performed in collaboration with ACHIP to demonstrate staging in a DLA for nonrelativistic beams [5]. In the experiment, Si instead of SiO 2 was used in a grating geometry to demonstrate a 70 MV/m gradient for a 0.3c electron beam.…”