Description
Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) can generate high-quality electron beams in compact, fully optical setups, with promising applications in radiotherapy.
Among the causes of beam stability we can find laser pointing fluctuations at various timescales, caused by thermal drifts, air currents, and mechanical vibrations.
These instabilities affect the reproducibility of electron generation and must be mitigated to meet clinical standards, which require dose uncertainties below 5–7% and spatial accuracy in the millimeter range.
We propose a compact, vacuum-compatible system for active beam stabilization.
Installed near the laser-plasma interaction point, the system could enable real-time measurement of laser position and direction at focus using cameras and Position-Sensitive Detectors (PSDs).
Fast-processing electronics drive feedback to the steering mirrors, suppressing both low- and high-frequency pointing fluctuations.
This approach aims to enhance LPA stability and support its transition toward medical applications.
