The invention relates to a such particle accelerator setup (1, 11) and method based on the total reflection of electromagnetic pulses with a frequency falling into the THz frequency domain that utilize the evanescent field for the acceleration of electrically charged particles. Said setup includes a radiation source (5) to emit high-energy THz-pulses, preferably comprising a few optical cycles, having a large peak electric field strength, as well as two optical elements (2, 12) in the form of a pair of bulk crystals made of a substance that exhibits large refractive index, low dispersion and high optical destruction threshold, wherein said optical elements are transparent for the THz radiation. The inventive solutions represent much simpler, more compact and more cost effective alternatives compared to the prior art particle accelerator setups.