A recent advancement by engineers at Stanford University has the potential to revolutionize medicine, physics, and industry through the miniaturization of particle accelerators. Utilizing the “accelerator on the chip” technology, this compact electronic accelerator shows promise for a wide array of applications, ranging from physics research to medical and industrial uses.
In a recent study, Stanford researchers showcased the capabilities of a silicone dielectric laser accelerator (DLA) in not only accelerating electrons but also focusing them into a beam of high-energy particles. Lead author of the study, Payton Brodduus, likened this process to managing and accelerating microscopic cars.
Unlike traditional radio frequency accelerators made of copper resonators that require cooling to combat metal heating, glass and silicone structures can withstand more powerful laser pulses without overheating. This durability enables the creation of more potent yet compact devices, thanks to advancements in nanotechnology and laser technologies.
The novel method of electron manipulation at the nanoscale involves using a silicone structure with a submicron channel for electron injection. By illuminating the structure with laser pulses, electrons can be directed to prevent deviation from their path. This approach has led to the acceleration of electrons over nearly a millimeter, boosting their energy by 23.7 kiloelectron-volts, a 25% increase from their initial energy.
While there are still challenges to overcome for full integration of these miniature accelerators in medicine, research, and industry, such as three-dimensional electron confinement to achieve higher energies, a research group at the Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany is working on similar developments. This hints at the potential creation of an “electron relay” where electrons will be sequentially accelerated in different devices, aligning with the efforts of Brodduus and his team.
This breakthrough paves the way for the use of miniature accelerators in high-energy physics to delve into the fundamental components of the Universe. Despite obstacles on the path to commercializing these devices, the optimism of researchers is fueled by the substantial progress made in the initial stages of development.