Design and model simulations of inverse Cerenkov acceleration using inverse free electron laser prebunching

An experiment to use an inverse free electron laser (IFEL) to prebunch at optical wavelengths the electrons entering into an inverse Cerenkov accelerator (ICA) is being prepared at the BNL Accelerator Test Facility (ATF). The design and simulations for this experiment are presented. Microbunches on the order of 2 microns in length separated by 10.6 microns are predicted. Under the anticipated ATF conditions, space charge effects should not be an issue. Minimizing bunch smearing is an important design issue also discussed.