Conventional electron accelerators have become an indispensable tool in modern research. The extremely bright radiation generated by synchrotrons, or free electron lasers, provides unique insights into matter at the atomic level. But even the smallest versions of these super-microscopes are the size of a soccer field. Laser plasma acceleration could offer an alternative. With a much smaller footprint and much higher peak currents, it could be the basis for the next generation of compact light sources. So far, the challenge with laser accelerators has been to create a reliable and stable electron beam, which is the prerequisite for possible applications. Physicists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have now developed a method to increase both beam stability and quality.