Plasma Wake-Fields in High Energy Physics: AN Experimental and Theoretical Investigation.

In this work we study experimental and theoretical aspects of plasma wake-fields in high energy physics. The first observation of plasma wake-field acceleration, from experiments performed at Argonne National Laboratory, is reported. Megavolt per meter wake-field amplitudes are inferred from these measurements. Both longitudinal and transverse focusing forces are observed and found to be consistent with theoretical predictions. We also theoretically examine the non-linear regime of plasma wake-field acceleration and aspects of nonlinear plasma waves in general. The phenomena of trapping, wave breaking and acceleration in nonlinear plasma waves are discussed. A theoretical analysis of the suitability of using transverse plasma wake-fields to form a powerful focusing lens system for linear colliders is presented, with detailed treatments of the subjects of aberrations and luminosity enhancement.