Vlasov simulations of very-large-amplitude-wave generation in the plasma wake-field accelerator

Journal Article · Fri Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physical Review A. General Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.44.6854· OSTI ID:5937210

Krall, J; Joyce, G; Esarey, E ^[1]

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1. Beam Physics Branch, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375-5000 (United States)

Simulations of the plasma wake-field accelerator are carried out by following the time evolution of the plasma distribution function in one dimension via the Vlasov-Maxwell equations. Simulation results are compared to numerical solutions of the nonlinear relativistic cold plasma equations and to previous theoretical estimations of trapping and thermal effects on plasma waves. It is found that highly nonlinear wakes are obtainable in the vicinity of the driving beam, where the thermal velocity spread of the plasma is reduced. In this region, wake amplitudes can significantly exceed the expectations of relativistic warm plasma models and agree closely with cold fluid theory. In all cases, however, particle trapping and thermalization due to particle scattering from the large-amplitude plasma wave reduce the wake to below the nonrelativistic wave-breaking limit after the initial accelerating peak.

• OSTI ID: 5937210
• Journal Information: Physical Review A. General Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review A. General Physics; (United States) Vol. 44:10; ISSN PLRAA; ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430200* -- Particle Accelerators-- Beam Dynamics
Field Calculations
& Ion Optics
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700300 -- Plasma Physics & Fusion Research-- (1992-)
ACCELERATORS
BEAM DYNAMICS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
EQUATIONS
FUNCTIONS
KINETIC EQUATIONS
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
SIMULATION
TRAPPING
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS