Speaker
Description
The UK XFEL project envisions a transformative approach to the next-generation X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) development by integrating emerging accelerator concepts [1] within its Conceptual Design and Options Analysis (CDOA) framework. As part of a future upgrade pathway, the project aims to ensure long-term scientific impact by exploring compact, efficient, high-performance solutions for beam energy and brightness enhancement. Among these, plasma-based acceleration stages offer a disruptive opportunity to realize ultra-compact, high-gradient electron energy boosters, essential for advancing XFEL capabilities beyond conventional limits. This contribution presents a pathway for the self-consistent incorporation of advanced accelerator technologies into the UK XFEL architecture, uniquely leveraging the facility’s anticipated capabilities [2]. The proposed integration strategy highlights the potential to position the UK XFEL at the forefront of global light source innovation.
[1] J. Marangos et al., “UK XFEL Science Case,” UK Research
and Innovation, Science and Technology Facilities Council,
Tech. Rep., 2020.
[2] A. F. Habib et al., “Energy and brightness-boosted electron
beams from plasma-based accelerators,” presented at the 41st
International Free Electron Laser Conf. (FEL’24), Warsaw,
Poland, Aug. 2024
