EPAC beamline Prototype: Development and optimisation of a high-repetition-rate LWFA system
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC) is a next-generation high-power laser facility designed to deliver stable, high-repetition-rate (10 Hz) LWFA electron beamline with high quality parameters (∼1nC, ∼1 GeV, <5% energy spread). As a crucial preparatory step, one of the 10 TW laser system (Gemini) at the Central Laser Facility is being repurposed as a prototype beamline to de-risk EPAC commissioning and to develop critical subsystems. We report on a progress in three core areas: 1. Targetry Development: We designed and implemented gas-cell targets featuring enhanced durability, leveraging replaceable CVD diamond apertures and modular components to support 5 Hz operation. 2. Beam Optimization: Using Bayesian optimization, we explore tuning of key LWFA outputs—electron charge, energy, divergence, and X-ray flux and energy—achieving improved performance across shots. 3. Integrated Simulation Framework: To support beamline design, we are developing a modular toolkit that couples fluid dynamics (OpenFOAM), particle-in-cell (FBPIC), and Monte Carlo (Geant4) simulations.
Source: JACOW
Authors: FEDOROV,KIRILL, Finlay,Oliver, Symes,Dan, Bennett,Adam, Giles-Friend,Josh, Bhardwaj,Archit, Armstrong,Chris, Kiely,Evan, Pattathil,Rajeev, Selig,Carl, Thomas,Adrian, Spindloe,Christopher, Morkot,Benjamin, Dann,Stephen, Spiers,Benjamin, Hernandez-Gomez,Christina, McCartney,David, Streeter,Matthew
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7124994887
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