Inverse Design (ID) is a recent framework that is proving very efficient in many research fields. The power of ID-based tools relies on
the possibility of inputting a set of desired properties and formulating the functional requirements as an optimization problem to
generate an admissible solution. Compared to traditional design methods, an ID approach carries out the parameters search
systematically and automatically until a design solution meeting the specified objectives is found.
The goal of the "IDEAS - Inverse Design of tErahertz interAction Structures" project is to build an innovative computational
platform for the inverse design of THz-vacuum-electronics interaction structures. More in detail, the design methodology of
the developed platform will be adopted to obtain optimal interaction regions for THz generation [1] as well as for THz-driven
particle acceleration [2]. To this aim, novel direct and inverse numerical models will be employed and enhanced with powerful
emerging optimization tools.
Up to now, ID has been applied for both THz-generation [1] and particle acceleration [3], but in interaction structures where the
electromagnetic (EM) wave and the particle path have been chosen orthogonal, leading to short interaction lengths. Conversely, the
objective of IDEAS is to remove a-priori restrictions and consider also configurations with a collinear path for the particle and the
guided EM wave. These configurations could be tapered structures which support EM field synchronous with sub-relativistic particles
that modify their velocity due to the lost/acquired energy along the accelerating channel.
While electrons-wave interaction is exploited for the generation of continuous-wave (CW) THz radiation, the availability of stable
CW THz sources opens the way to THz-driven electron and proton acceleration.
THz radiation generation is of interest for many research fields which would benefit from such a further filling of the "THz-gap",
including medical imaging and particle acceleration. Concerning the accelerating devices, the successful demonstration of a portable
technology for THz-driven proton accelerators can impart a boost to many applications currently limited by linear accelerators cost
and size, such as hadron-therapy. In fact, a miniaturized optimally designed THz-driven protons accelerator could make the therapy
available for a broader audience of patients and at lower costs.
The development of reliable THz interaction structures can be a game changer opportunity in several applications, especially due to
the attractive feature of miniaturization. In order to achieve the ambitious goal to develop and use a numeric platform for the
assisted design of these structures, the IDEAS project includes partners with complementary and multidisciplinary skills.