Betatron Radiation-based Emittance Diagnostic for AWAKE Run 2

Academic School: Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester

Anticipated Start Date: September 2023 for 3.5 Years

Supervisor Team:

Dr. Guoxing Xia (University of Manchester, guoxing.xia@manchester.ac.uk)

Prof. Carsten Welsch (University of Liverpool, welsch@liverpool.ac.uk)

Dr. Stefano Mazzoni (CERN, Stefano.mazzoni@cern.ch)

Project description

Tremendous progress has been made on plasma-based accelerators in the last few decades thanks to the availability of ultrashort high-power lasers and energetic particle beams. These advanced plasma acceleration schemes will revolutionize today’s conventional particle accelerators and reduce the footprints and therefore costs for future accelerator facilities for research and applications.

AWAKE (Advanced Wakefield Experiment) at CERN is the first and only proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration in the world. The proof-of-concept experiment so-called AWAKE Run 1 (2016-2018) has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of electron acceleration up to 2 GeV in a 10 m proton-driven wakefield accelerator. Currently, AWAKE Run 2 (2021-2027) aims for achieving the preservation of witness beam quality throughout acceleration. This will be a crucial step forward for the design of future high-energy physics experiment based on AWAKE-like technology.

As an important figure of merit in determining the performance of AWAKE experiment, emittance measurement will be a key. Our group in Manchester is proposing to diagnose betatron radiation from the plasma accelerator to infer the key information about the beams during the acceleration. Student will be leading this initiative and playing an important role in designing, building and installing such a novel, single-shot and non-invasive betatron radiation diagnostic in the AWAKE beam line and will be in charge of data taking and analysis for the experiment.

Qualifications applicants should have/expect to receive: The successful candidate will spend most of his/her time at CERN to participate the AWAKE experiment. The successful candidate will have or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree or equivalent (e.g. MPhys, MSci) in physics. Experience of accelerator physics and computational physics is desirable but not essential.

 Funding and eligibility: The project is fully funded by the Cockcroft Institute for 3.5 years. A full package of training and support will be provided by the Cockcroft Institute and the University of Manchester. Self-funded overseas students may apply. An IELTS score of at least 6.5 is required.

 Contact for further information: guoxing.xia@manchester.ac.uk, or visit Room 7.11, Schuster Building on the University of Manchester main campus.

 How to apply: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply/. This position will remain open until filled.