Experimental Testing of a Micron-Scale Laser-Powered Accelerator

An experimental program to develop, perfect, and demonstrate a micron-scale dielectric-based slab-symmetric accelerator is underway at UCLA. The effort includes parallel development of a particle source to be integrated with the accelerator, forming a monolithic radiation source. We present results from first-round cold tests of the structure resonance on a simplified metal-walled device, containing > 100 structure periods in an area of 100X20 mum. The resonance frequency and strength can be observed via reflection and transmission measurements on the drive laser. Initial measurements may be consistent with simulation. We also report on the status of the electron source development and on work toward an acceleration test in an all-dielectric structure.