The quantum plasma lens concept: a preliminary investigation

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of a quantum plasma lens for focusing relativistic charged particle beams, utilizing a quantum approach to plasma physics to analyze transverse effects in a strongly nonlocal regime.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum theoretical framework to analyze plasma lensing effects on relativistic beams, extending previous classical models with quantum considerations.

Findings

Strong focusing effects in the nonlocal regime

Quantum effects influence plasma lens behavior

Preliminary theoretical insights into plasma lens design

Abstract

Recently, a theoretical investigation of the collective and nonlocal quantum effects has been carried out within the framework of a quantum approach to the relativistic charged particle beam travelling in a cold, collisionless, strongly magnetized plasma. This has been done taking into account both the plasma wake field excitation and the quantum paraxial approximation. On the basis of this theory, here we carry out a preliminary study of the transverse effects experienced by a cold relativistic beam through a thin plasma slab (plasma lens). In the strongly nonlocal regime, in which the beam experiences a very strong focusing effect, the scheme of plasma lens is reviewed in terms of the wave description provided by the above quantum theory.