Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R23909/01
Title:	Relativistic Particle Generation From Ultra-Intense Laser Plasma Interactions
Principal Investigator:	Krushelnick, Professor K
Other Investigators:	Bell, Professor AR Neely, Professor D Evans, Dr R Dangor, Dr AE
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Professor Z Najmudin
Project Partners:	LULI Polytechnic University
Department:	Physics
Organisation:	Imperial College London
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 April 2001	Ends:	30 September 2004	Value (£):	413,433
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Plasmas - Laser & Fusion
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This research will address important issues involved in particle acceleration using laser-produced plasmas by examining three separate techniques.We will use the enhanced intensity (- 1021 W/cm2 of the Petawatt upgrade to VULCAN to examine the energy of the electrons produced from ultra high energy interactions (i.e., in the self-modulated wakefield regime). From the scaling of the temperature of the accelerated hot electron population and peak electron energy with laser intensity we will be able to determine the relative importance of the various acceleration mechanisms in a wide range of parameter regimes. Measurements of the angular distribution of the accelerated electrons will provide additional information.We will also be able to address the short pulse beat-wave acceleration scheme using the Petawatt upgrade. This will allow an examination of the affect of pulse duration and frequency chirp on the amplitude of the generated plasma waves.In addition, we will be able to examine the conventional (or short pulse) laser wake field scheme using the ASTRA laser. This will allow a direct comparison of the relative efficiency of the self-modulation wakefield acceleration and the conventional wakefield regime and allow a direct comparison to simulation results.Simultaneously we will develop computational techniques necessary for interpreting these results and understanding the physics of these exotic plasmas.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.imperial.ac.uk