FLASHforward Findings for the EuPRAXIA Design Study and the Next-Generation of Compact Accelerator Facilities

Abstract

FLASHForward, the exploratory FLASH beamline for Future-ORiented Wakefield Accelerator Research and Development, is a European pilot test bed facility for accelerating electron beams to GeV-levels in a few centimeters of ionized gas. The main focus is on the advancement of plasma-based particle acceleration technology through investigation of injection schemes, novel concepts and diagnostics, as well as benchmarking theoretical studies and simulations. Since the plasma wakefield will be driven by the optimal high-current-density electron beams extracted from the FLASH L-band Superconducting RF accelerator, FLASHForward has been in a unique position for studying and providing insight for the design study of next-generation light source and high energy physics facilities such as EuPRAXIA*. Summary of these findings and their broader impact is discussed here