This proposal is for building a 1 meter long, 300 GHz-1 THz plasma accelerating structure that can be powered by either an electron beam or a laser beam. A 1 meter long Lithium oven will provide a homogeneous column of Lithium vapor of up to 3 x 10^16 cm-3. An efficient two-photon or multi-photon/laser-ionization based on resonance saturation scheme will be employed to efficiently ionize the Lithium to give densities up to 10^16 cm-3, a factor 50 greater than currently possible. An optimum photo-pumping scheme for obtaining high densities will be determined based on theoretical modelling. A 100 cm long prototype Lithium oven will be constructed so that the chosen pumping scheme can be tried out early in Phase II.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Such a system could form the basis of a new type of laser known as Ion-Channel Laser. Such a source has applications to the “afterburner” concept for boosting the energy of a linear accelerator.
