Phd in ACCELERATOR PHYSICS

Thesis title: Study and characterization of betatron radiation source from plasma wakefield accelerator

This thesis investigates the study and characterization of betatron radiation generated by plasma wakefield accelerators (PWFA), a promising source of high-energy X-rays with potential applications in imaging and time-resolved spectroscopy. By leveraging the compactness and high intensities achievable with plasma-based acceleration, betatron radiation can provide a competitive alternative to conventional X-ray sources, such as synchrotrons and free-electron lasers, especially for high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic applications. The work presented here is divided into theoretical and experimental components. The theoretical framework involves the development of analytical models and computational simulations to predict the characteristics of betatron radiation emitted from an electron bunch oscillating within a plasma bubble. These models were validated through Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations, providing insights into the influence of various parameters, such as plasma density and electron bunch properties, on the emitted spectrum. On the experimental side, extensive work was conducted to reconstruct the betatron radiation spectrum using two main approaches: a monochromator for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range and single-photon counting techniques for the X-ray range. This dual approach allowed a comprehensive characterization of the radiation across different spectral regions. Furthermore, phase-contrast imaging (PCI) experiments were performed to assess the high coherence of the betatron source and its potential applications in biological and material sciences. The findings underscore the viability of plasma wakefield-driven betatron radiation as a versatile source for scientific and industrial applications.