Feasibility Study and Perspectives of proton Dielectric Laser Accelerators (p-DLA): from nanosource to accelerator scheme

TL;DR

This paper explores the feasibility of fully dielectric laser-driven proton accelerators, proposing integration of nanosources and novel schemes to enable miniaturized proton beams for diverse scientific and medical applications.

Contribution

It introduces a conceptual framework for integrating nanoscale proton sources with dielectric laser accelerators, advancing the development of compact, high-gradient proton beam systems.

Findings

Proposes a nanosource for proton beam generation compatible with dielectric laser accelerators.

Suggests using a proton dielectric RF quadrupole for beam transport and acceleration.

Highlights potential applications of miniaturized proton beams in medicine, industry, and research.

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the possibility to generate and accelerate proton nanobeams in fully dielectric laser-driven accelerators (p-DLAs). High gradient on-chip optical-power dielectric laser accelerators (DLAs) could represent one of the most promising way towards future miniaturized particle accelerator. A primary challenge for DLAs are small beam apertures having a size of the order of the driving laser wavelength where low charge high-repetition (or also CW) ultralow emittance nanobeams have to be transported. For electrons beams generation and acceleration, intense research activities are ongoing, and several demonstrations have been already obtained by using electrons nanotip (or flat photocathode) sources feeding dielectric microstructures. In this article we aim at the possibility to integrate a nanosource for the generation of a light ion or proton nano-beams suitable for the subsequent acceleration into sub-relativistic (low-beta) p-DLA stages. Such integration includes the idea to use a proton dielectric radiofrequency quadrupole (p-DRFQ) for bridging the gap between the accelerator front-end and the drift-tube and high-beta sections. The paper has been prepared as a white book including state-of-art technologies and new solutions that now put the ambitious frontier of a fully nanostructured proton accelerator into reach. Conceptual studies of p-DLAs here presented could enable table-top proton nano-beams for several applications: proton beam writing, nuclear reaction analysis at sub-micrometer scales, the construction of miniaturized Proton-Boron Nuclear Fusion based Reactors, biological analysis at the micrometer scale, ion beam analysis at the sub-cellular level, mini-beams ion therapy to spare the shallow tissues, proton irradiation of transistors, compact proton linac for neutron generation.