A novel fast simulation technique for axisymmetric PWFA configurations in the blowout regime

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fast, decoupled simulation algorithm for axisymmetric PWFA in the blowout regime, enabling efficient and accurate modeling of plasma-beam interactions crucial for advanced accelerator research.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel simulation code, PLEBS, that significantly improves speed and robustness by decoupling transverse and longitudinal computations in PWFA modeling.

Findings

Excellent agreement with QuickPic benchmarks

Enhanced speed and robustness of simulations

Facilitates studies of beam loading and wakefields

Abstract

In the blowout regime of plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA), which is the most relevant configuration for current and future applications and experiments, the plasma flow that is excited by the ultra-relativistic drive beam is highly nonlinear. Thus, fast and accurate simulations codes are indispensable tools in the study of this extremely important problem. We have developed a novel algorithm that deals with the propagation of axisymmetric bunches of otherwise arbitrary profile through a cold plasma of uniform density. In contrast to the existing PWFA simulation tools, our code PLEBS (PLasma-Electron Beam Simulations) uses a new computational scheme which ensures that the transverse and longitudinal directions are completely decoupled---a feature which significantly enhances the speed and robustness of the new method. Our numerical results are benchmarked against the QuickPic code and excellent agreement is established between the two approaches. Moreover, our new technique provides a very convenient framework for studying issues such as beam loading and short-range wakefields within the plasma cavity.