A viable laser driver for a user plasma accelerator

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of a high-repetition-rate, petawatt laser driver suitable for laser-driven plasma accelerators, emphasizing technological feasibility and design requirements for future infrastructure.

Contribution

It identifies a feasible laser concept that can meet the demanding requirements of plasma acceleration facilities using moderate technological advancements.

Findings

Laser requirements for EuPRAXIA are outlined.

A suitable laser concept is proposed based on current technology trends.

The proposed laser can potentially meet high repetition rate and power needs.

Abstract

The construction of a novel user facility employing laser-driven plasma acceleration with superior beam quality will require an industrial grade, high repetition rate petawatt laser driver which is beyond existing technology. However, with the ongoing fast development of chirped pulse amplification and high average power laser technology, options can be identified depending on the envisioned laser-plasma acceleration scheme and on the time scale for construction. Here we discuss laser requirements for the EuPRAXIA infrastructure design and identify a suitable laser concepts that is likely to fulfil such requirements with a moderate development of existing technologies.