Short-range wakefields generated in the blowout regime of plasma-wakefield acceleration

TL;DR

This paper develops a new method to calculate short-range wakefields in the blowout regime of plasma-wakefield acceleration, where traditional linear approximations fail, enabling better analysis of beam dynamics in advanced plasma accelerators.

Contribution

It introduces a novel technique for calculating short-range wakefields in the nonlinear blowout regime of plasma wakefield acceleration, extending beyond linear approximations.

Findings

Enables calculation of longitudinal and transverse wakes in the blowout regime.

Facilitates studies of beam loading and hosing instability.

Provides a tool for optimizing plasma accelerator performance.

Abstract

In the past, calculation of wakefields generated by an electron bunch propagating in a plasma has been carried out in linear approximation, where the plasma perturbation can be assumed small and plasma equations of motion linearized. This approximation breaks down in the blowout regime where a high-density electron driver expels plasma electrons from its path and creates a cavity void of electrons in its wake. In this paper, we develop a technique that allows to calculate short-range longitudinal and transverse wakes generated by a witness bunch being accelerated inside the cavity. Our results can be used for studies of the beam loading and the hosing instability of the witness bunch in PWFA and LWFA.