Technical Status Report on Plasma Components and Systems in the context of EuPRAXIA

TL;DR

This report reviews the current status and challenges of plasma components and systems crucial for the development of compact, high-performance plasma-based accelerators in the EuPRAXIA project.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of plasma accelerator components, diagnostics, and integration challenges for future EuPRAXIA facilities.

Findings

Plasma components are advancing towards high control and reproducibility.

Diagnostics and simulation tools are essential for plasma device optimization.

Integration of plasma systems into accelerator beamlines remains a key challenge.

Abstract

The EuPRAXIA project aims to construct two state-of-the-art accelerator facilities based on plasma accelerator technology. Plasma-based accelerators offer the possibility of a significant reduction in facility size and cost savings over current radio frequency (RF) accelerators. The two facilities - one laser-driven one a beam-driven - are envisioned to provide electron beams with an energy in the range of 1-5 GeV and beam quality comparable to existing RF machines. This will enable a versatile portfolio of applications from compact free-electron laser (FEL) drivers to sources for medical and industrial imaging. At the heart of both facilities is the use of plasma-based accelerator components and systems which encompass not only the accelerating medium itself, but also a range of auxiliary systems such as plasma-based electron beam optics and plasma-based mirrors for high-intensity lasers. From a technical standpoint, a high-degree of control over these plasma devices will be essential for EuPRAXIA to achieve its target performance goals. The ability to diagnose and characterize these plasma devices and to simulate their operation will be further essential success factors. Additionally, compatibility with extended operation at high-repetition rates and integration into the accelerator beamline will also prove crucial. In this work, we aim to review the current status of plasma components and related systems for both laser-driven and beam-driven plasma accelerators and to assess challenges to be addressed regarding implementation at future EuPRAXIA facilities.