Studies into Electron Beam Generation, Acceleration and Diagnostics within LA³NET

The Laser Applications at Accelerators Network (LA³NET) is receiving funding of up to 4.6 M€ from the European Union within the 7th Framework Programme to carry out R&D; into laser-based particle sources, laser acceleration schemes and laser-based beam diagnostics. This international network joins universities, research centres and private companies and has been training 19 early stage researchers at network nodes across Europe since 2011. This contribution presents research outcomes from LA³NET’s main work packages, covering electron beam generation, acceleration and diagnostics. Results from surface studies of photocathodes for photo injector applications in the framework of the CLIC project are presented along with information about expected accelerating gradients in dielectric laser-driven accelerators as identified for non-relativistic and relativistic electron beams using the CST and VSIM simulation codes. Initial results from energy measurements using Compton backscattering at the ANKA Synchrotron at KIT are also presented. In addition, a summary of recent and upcoming international events organized by the LA³NET consortium is also given.