Three Dimensional Simulation of Laser and Particle Beam-Plasma Interactions Using QuickPIC

QuickPIC is a 3D parallel simulation package, using the quasistatic approximation and Particle-in-Cell (PIC) methods, for charged particle-plasma interaction being developed at UCLA. We have extended the capabilities of QuickPIC by developing both a laser evolution module and fluid plasma module. We present preliminary results of the new Laser and fluid modules being developed for QuickPIC. We compare results of QuickPIC and WAKE for predominately 2D instabilities and present preliminary results from QuickPIC for Laser instabilities, which have a predominately 3D structure, i.e. laser filamentation. Additionally, we outline the steps needed to implement the full quasistatic field equations in the PIC module.