KALDERa
KALDERa
KALDERA is DESYs new flagship laser to drive our next-generation laser-plasma accelerators. KALDERA will deliver ultrafast laser pulses of 100 TW peak power at up to 1 kHz repetition rate. Initiated by Wim Leemans, Accelerator Division Director, the project started in 2020. The laser is currently under development. We will continuously update this website to reflect the current project status.
“With KALDERA we will bring laser-plasma acceleration a big step closer to first applications.”
To explain the vision behind KALDERA we created an animated website for the general public, which you can find here
In the following we have more information on KALDERA for the experts in our field.
KALDERA Laser
KALDERA Laser
Plasma accelerators are a disruptive technology with the potential to revolutionize the societal benefit of particle accelerators for applications in research, industry, and health. Early experiments have already demonstrated electron beams that are competitive with beams generated by modern radio-frequency-based accelerators. However, today’s laser-plasma accelerators operate at comparably low repetition rates (1 Hz) and often the electron beam properties vary significantly from shot to shot. Both prevent plasma accelerators from driving real-world applications.
To address these issues, we are building the KALDERA laser. KALDERA will deliver 100 TW peak power laser pulses (3 Joule in 30 femtoseconds) at up to 1 kHz repetition rate at kW-level average power. The very high repetition rates will enable us to use active feedback techniques as they are deployed at every modern accelerator world-wide and stabilize the performance of both the laser and the plasma electron beam. As a result, we will generate highly reproducibly high-quality electron beams for pilot applications.
KALDERA will be based on Ti:Sapphire technology, which poses several technology challenges to be met, including (I) pump laser design; (II) amplifier architecture; (III) pulse compressors; but also (IV) control system and machine protection, all working at kW average power. Together with our partners, we are addressing all those challenges.
A look inside the MALCOLM seed laser
Characterization of the laser crystals for the KALDERA amplifiers
KALDERA Electrons
KALDERA Electrons
It all starts with a high-quality drive laser pulse, but the design of the plasma target, and meticulous control over the laser-plasma interaction are equally important, to generate competitive plasma electron beams.
We use experimental data to decode the mechanisms of even the smallest variations in electron beam parameters. We use machine learning techniques to autonomously tune the machine to provide high-quality beams.
The high repetition rates of KALDERA and the possibilities to actively stabilize the setup will enable us to use exploit new modalities, e.g., using laser guiding to increase the electron beam energy from the plasma target. These aspects are studies in a close cooperation of DESY’s MPA and MLS groups.
View inside the vacuum chamber holding the plasma source
Simulation of the laser-plasma interaction
KALDERA Laser Lab
KALDERA Laser Lab
KALDERA is located in its dedicated lab, a 400 square meter ISO5/6 clean room, temperature stabilized to ±0.1°C. Here, we greatly benefit from DESY’s expertise and the know-how of our technical groups, operating world-class research infrastructure for international users. The lab is in operation since autumn 2022.
