Towards ultra-high gradient particle acceleration in carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Charged particle acceleration using solid-state nanostructures is attracting new attention in recent years as a method of achieving ultra-high acceleration gradients in the order of TV/m. The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has the potential to overcome limitations of using natural crystals, e.g. channelling aperture and thermo-mechanical robustness. In this work, we present preliminary particle-in-cell simulation results of laser and beam interaction with a single CNT, modelled as 20 parallel plates of Carbon ions and electrons. This is the equivalent to a 10-layers tube in 3D. We further discuss simulation of anisotropic particles to model 2D quasi-free electrons in CNT walls. Further research ideas are outlined along with the presentation of a possible proof-of-principle experiment.