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Plasma wakefield acceleration in self-ionized gas or plasmas.
S Deng1, C D Barnes, C E Clayton
1University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|December 20, 2003
Summary
Tunnel ionization of neutral gas using charged particle beam self-fields offers a new plasma source for plasma wakefield accelerators. Optimal gas density is seven times higher than preionized plasma density for comparable wakefields.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Particle Accelerators
- Computational Physics
Background:
- Plasma wakefield accelerators (PWFA) are advanced accelerators.
- Creating plasma sources for PWFA is crucial.
- Self-field ionization of neutral gas is a potential method.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate tunnel ionization of neutral gas for PWFA.
- Determine optimal gas density for maximizing plasma wakefield.
- Compare wakefield strength with preionized plasma.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation code OSIRIS.
- Simulated tunnel ionization of neutral gas by charged particle beam self-fields.
- Analyzed plasma and wakefield properties at varying gas densities.
Main Results:
- Optimal gas density for maximizing wakefield in non-preionized plasma identified.
- Achieving wakefields comparable to preionized plasma requires seven times higher gas density.
- Physical explanation for the density requirement provided.
Conclusions:
- Tunnel ionization is a viable method for generating plasma in PWFA.
- Higher neutral gas densities are necessary compared to preionized plasmas.
- This research informs the design of future plasma sources for accelerators.