Overview of Applications of Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration (Editors Paul R. Bolton, Katia Parodi, and Jorg Schreiber) by CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group) ISBN 9781498766418-5 June 2018

We briefly describe the new book, Applications of Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration, which was published in June of 2018 by CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. Written by the book editors, this article is appropriately an overview. The rationale for developing a book about applications for laser-driven energetic particle and photon sources is given and the content of its two parts (Parts I and II) is described. Part I addresses the current understanding of physical mechanisms and capabilities for acceleration of electrons and ions, as well as for associated generation of energetic photons and neutrons. Part II brings the focus back to potential applications in which the laser-driven source is distinguished from the more fully developed integrated laser-driven accelerator system. For applications of laser-driven sources and systems, a uniqueness strategy is recommended that particularly emphasizes what conventional (not laser-driven) accelerators cannot do. In the context of overall accelerator advancement, this strategy for the laser case highlights the potential for offering new beam configurations and research options that can uniquely augment accelerator capability in the future.