Lattice Boltzmann simulations of Plasma Wakefield Acceleration

TL;DR

This paper introduces the use of the Lattice Boltzmann Method for simulating Plasma Wakefield Acceleration, comparing its results with traditional models and discussing its advantages in computational efficiency and capturing diffusion effects.

Contribution

It is the first to apply Lattice Boltzmann simulations to PWFA, bridging kinetic theory and hydrodynamics in this context.

Findings

LBM simulations align well with Cold Fluid models in PWFA.

LBM captures diffusion effects beyond traditional CF approximations.

Enhanced computational efficiency demonstrated in simulations.

Abstract

We explore a novel simulation route for Plasma Wakefield Acceleration (PWFA) by using the computational method known as the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). LBM is based on a discretization of the continuum kinetic theory while assuring the convergence towards hydrodynamics for coarse-grained fields (i.e., density, velocity, etc.). LBM is an established numerical analysis tool in computational fluid dynamics, able to efficiently bridge between kinetic theory and hydrodynamics, but its application in the context of PWFA has never been investigated so far. This paper aims at filling this gap. Results of LBM simulations for PWFA are discussed and compared with those of a code (Architect) implementing a Cold Fluid (CF) model for the plasma. In the hydrodynamic framework, we discuss the importance of regularization effects related to diffusion properties intrinsic of the LBM, allowing to go beyond the traditional CF approximations. Issues on computational efficiency are also addressed.