AWAKE - A Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Experiment at CERN

It is the aim of the AWAKE project at CERN to demonstrate the acceleration of electrons in the wake created by a proton beam passing through plasma. The proton beam will be modulated as a result of the transverse two-stream instability into a series ofμbunches that will then drive strong wakefields. The wakefields will then be used to accelerate electrons with GV/m strength fields. The AWAKE experiment is currently being commissioned and first data taking is expected this year. The status of the experimental program is described as well as first thoughts on future steps.