New generation of particle accelerators is based on the excitation of large amplitude plasma waves driven by either electron or laser beams, named as Plasma Wakefield Accelerator (PWFA) and Laser Wakefield Accelerator (LWFA), respectively. The amplitude of the waves, as well as their spatial dimensions and the consequent accelerating gradient depend strongly on the local plasma electron density whose shaping is mandatory for ensuring the correct acceleration and manipulation of the electron beams.
This presentation will summarize the study on the plasma sources for both these acceleration schemes that will be implemented in the SPARC_LAB test facility.