Simulations of efficient laser wakefield accelerators from 1 to 100GeV
Abstract
Optimization of laser wakefield acceleration involves understanding and control of the laser evolution in tenuous plasmas, the response of the plasma medium, and its effect on the accelerating particles. We explore these phenomena in the weakly nonlinear regime, in which the laser power is similar to the critical power for self-focusing. Using Particle-In-Cell simulations with the code QuickPIC, we demonstrate that a laser pulse can remain focused in a plasma channel for hundreds of Rayleigh lengths and efficiently accelerate a high-quality electron beam to 100GeV (25GeV) in a single stage with average gradient 3.6GV/m (7.2GV/m).
- Publication:
-
Journal of Plasma Physics
- Pub Date:
- August 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S0022377812000232
- Bibcode:
- 2012JPlPh..78..401T