Description
I-LUCE (INFN-Laser indUCEd Radiation Production) at INFN-LNS (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud) hosts a laser-plasma accelerator (LPA) designed to support a diverse experimental program—including electron, proton, and neutron radiation generation, fusion studies, and medical physics. The facility is expected to be fully operational by 2028. The primary driver is a Ti:Sa THALES laser capable of reaching 320 TW (1−7.7 J, 23−25 fs, 2.2 Hz), complemented by a secondary Astrella (Coherent Inc.) system (9 mJ, 32 fs, 1 kHz) for low-energy electron generation (1−8 MeV). Using gas nozzles (μm-mm scale) and capillaries (cm scale), I-LUCE achieves electron acceleration from the MeV to GeV scale. This work highlights the use of gas-filled capillaries as plasma waveguides to ensure high shot-to-shot reproducibility and stable beam parameters for Very High Energy Electrons (VHEE). By triggering an electrical discharge prior to the laser pulse, a reproducible density profile is established, providing the necessary conditions for stable Laser Wakefield Acceleration (LWFA). We implemented a unified diagnostic and modeling strategy, integrating imaging spectroscopy for experimental electron density and temperature measurements with a suite of simulations. Capillary plasma behavior was modeled in COMSOL Multiphysics and validated against experimental data, while laser-plasma interactions were explored via Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations. A dual-core Machine Learning (ML) framework was deployed to optimize discharge settings and capillary design. Finally, dosimetric analysis was performed using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, with data workflows managed via the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) format to facilitate real-time control and high-repetition-rate operation. These studies support the development of stable, high-charge electron beams for VHEE therapy (VHEET) and FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) applications.