Summary of the 2011 Dielectric Laser Accelerator Workshop

The first ICFA Mini-Workshop on dielectric laser accelerators (DLA) was held on September 15–16, 2011 at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. We present the results of the workshop, and discuss the main conclusions of the Accelerator Applications, Photonics, and Laser Technologies working groups. Over 50 participants from four countries participated, discussing the state of the art in photonic structures, laser science, and nanofabrication as it pertains to laser-driven particle acceleration in dielectric structures. Applications of this new and promising acceleration concept to discovery science and industrial, medical, and basic energy sciences were explored. The DLA community is presently focused on making demonstrations of high gradient acceleration and a compatible atto-second injector source, two critical steps towards realizing the potential of this technology.