UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
We present progress and an experimental plan for multi-MeV relativistic energy gain in a dielectric laser-driven accelerator (DLA). Using a 780 nm, 100 fs pulse-front-tilted laser, we achieve interaction with 6 MeV electrons over a 4 mm long structure with 800 nm period. To compensate for resonant defocusing effects, the laser pulse is imprinted with a phase mask, applied by a Spatial Light Modulator, which uses alternating phase focusing (APF) to achieve stable beam transport. The DLA is mechanically mounted with a variable sized gap (600-1200 nm) in order to maximize transmission while maintaining high gradient within the channel. The combination of high interaction length and use of APF confines and accelerates the electrons by up to 3.5 MeV.
