Speaker
Description
In view of the realization of the EuPRAXIA@SPARC LAB facility, designed
to operate a plasma-driven FEL source at 100-400 Hz, the capability of plasma
sources to operate at high repetition rates plays a key role. Concerning gas-filled
plasma discharge capillaries, which allow direct control over plasma properties,
a crucial aspect is related to the longevity of the material, exposed to the heat
flux delivered by high voltage plasma discharges. In this regard, the innovative
design of gas-filled discharge capillaries, based on the use of ceramic materials, represents a reliable solution in terms of high temperature resistance and
cost-effectiveness. In addition, a suitable option for high repetition rate plasma
sources is given by laser-induced plasma filaments, which can sustain high repetition rate operation without material overheating, due to the low thermal load
delivered onto the capillary walls by few-mJ femtosecond laser pulses. Furthermore, plasma filaments are characterized by high stability and tunable parameters, such as filament length and density, thus meeting the requirements outlined
in the EuPRAXIA scientific case.