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Center for Nonlinear Studies |
New techniques for generation and acceleration of electron/ion beams are of importance for many fields of activities, such as X-ray free electron laser, high energy particle physics, fast ignition of inertial fusion capsule and medical treatment with ion beams. Recently a class of novel particle sources and efficient acceleration methods has emerged [1, 2] following the development of high power lasers and high current electron beams. Accelerating fields as high as 10TV/m can be achieved when tightly focused beams interact with gas or ultra-thin solid targets, producing highly energetic particles in short distances from the plasma. Several schemes of such plasma-based advanced accelerator concept, including the plasma wakefield electron acceleration in the blow-out regime, the Break-Out Afterburner (BOA) and the Radiation Pressure Acceleration (RPA) scheme of laser ion acceleration are promising ways to generate GeV class electron/ions in the near future. Understanding the nonlinear beam/laser plasma interactions involved is challenging and requires kinetic simulation models. In the first part of this talk, an accurate and efficient multi-scale Particle-In-Cell (PIC) code, QuickPIC [3] will be presented. Critical physics in plasma wakefield acceleration, such as electron beam focusing and diffraction, efficient beam-loading, transverse beam dynamics and hosing instability are studied with QuickPIC. In the second part of the talk, a novel double-foil target [4] for laser ion acceleration will be presented. The double-foil target can substantially improve the spectral and spatial spread of the ion beams in BOA and RPA, as revealed from fully electromagnetic PIC simulations with the VPIC code. Fundamental understandings of these dynamics will guide the development of plasma-based advanced accelerator concepts into applications.
Host: T-5