Summary Report of Working Group 6: Laser-Plasma Acceleration.

A summary is given of presentations and discussions in the Laser-Plasma Acceleration Working Group at the 2006 Advanced Accelerator Concepts Workshop. Presentation highlights include: widespread observation of quasi-monoenergetic electrons; good agreement between measured and simulated beam properties; the first demonstration of laser-plasma acceleration up to 1 GeV; single-shot visualization of laser wakefield structure; new methods for measuring < 100 fs electron bunches; and new methods for “machining” laser-plasma accelerator structures. Discussion of future directions includes: developing a roadmap for laser-plasma acceleration beyond 1 GeV; a debate over injection and guiding; benchmarking simulations with improved wake diagnostics; petawatt laser technology for future laser-plasma accelerators. © 2006 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]