Exceptionally in Amphi Becquerel
Plasma-wakefield acceleration promises orders of magnitude higher
gradients than can be achieved via conventional radio-frequency cavities. It
is now starting to be proposed for use in e.g. photon-science facilities.
However, its application to particle-physics colliders has always been
complicated by the difficulty in accelerating positrons. I will introduce the
basics of plasma wakefield acceleration and explain the difficulty with
accelerating positrons. HALHF avoids this by using a conventional linac to
accelerate positrons, resulting in an asymmetric-energy, hybrid linear
facility which is much smaller, greener and cheaper than any other Higgs-
factory proposal. I will outline the original HALHF layout and principles,
possible upgrades from the Higgs factory, recent design progress and the
R&D path to making it a reality.
