Efficient start-to-end 3D envelope modeling for two-stage laser wakefield acceleration experiments

TL;DR

This paper introduces an efficient 3D envelope modeling method for laser wakefield acceleration, enabling realistic simulation of two-stage experiments without high-frequency resolution, thus reducing computational resources.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel envelope method implementation in Smilei for simulating two-stage laser wakefield acceleration, significantly reducing computational costs compared to traditional 3D PIC simulations.

Findings

Envelope method accurately benchmarks against standard simulations.

Enables feasible modeling of multi-stage plasma acceleration experiments.

Supports design optimization for Apollon laser experiments.

Abstract

Three dimensional Particle in Cell simulations of Laser Wakefield Acceleration require a considerable amount of resources but are necessary to have realistic predictions and to design future experiments. The planned experiments for the Apollon laser also include two stages of plasma acceleration, for a total plasma length of the order of tens of millimeters or centimeters. In this context, where traditional 3D numerical simulations would be unfeasible, we present the results of the application of a recently proposed envelope method, to describe the laser pulse ant its interaction with the plasma without the need to resolve its high frequency oscillations. The implementation of this model in the code Smilei is described, as well as the results of benchmark simulations against standard laser simulations and applications for the design of two stage Apollon experiments.