Advanced accelerator test facilities

Research facilities that evaluate novel particle-acceleration methods and accelerator components, often using dedicated beamlines and diagnostic systems.

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FACET-II: A SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory facility that studies plasma wakefield acceleration and high-energy-density science. Its electron beam enables experiments on plasma-based acceleration and beam-driven processes.
Particle accelerator: A machine that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds or energies. Test facilities are specialized particle accelerators or use them as their experimental infrastructure.
Linear accelerator: A particle accelerator that sends charged particles along a straight path through a sequence of accelerating structures. Many advanced-technology test facilities use linacs to generate and condition their beams.
Plasma-based accelerator staging: The sequential coupling of plasma accelerator stages to increase particle energy while preserving beam quality. Facilities investigate how to join stages without excessive energy spread or emittance growth.
Advanced Accelerator Concepts Workshop: A recurring scientific meeting that brings together researchers developing accelerator concepts beyond conventional radio-frequency technology. The workshop community has helped define shared priorities for advanced-accelerator experiments.
Argonne Wakefield Accelerator: A research facility at Argonne National Laboratory for wakefield acceleration and advanced accelerator concepts. It tests wakefield structures and techniques for producing high-gradient accelerating fields.
Plasma wakefield acceleration: A method that accelerates particles using intense plasma waves driven by particle or laser pulses. Several facilities test its high-gradient accelerating fields and beam quality.
Electron beam: A stream of electrons whose energy, timing, and spatial profile can be controlled in an accelerator. Electron beams drive or probe many advanced-accelerator experiments.
Beam loading: The modification of an accelerating field by the charge and current of the beam it accelerates. Experiments test whether beam loading can be controlled for efficient, uniform acceleration.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory: A U.S. Department of Energy laboratory in California specializing in accelerator science and photon research. SLAC hosts FACET-II, a major facility for advanced accelerator studies.