Beam dynamics challenges in linear colliders based on laser-plasma accelerators

TL;DR

This paper explores the design and beam dynamics challenges of laser-plasma accelerators for multi-TeV linear colliders, highlighting stability, beam quality preservation, and potential solutions in the nonlinear bubble regime.

Contribution

It presents novel insights into stable beam acceleration and quality preservation in laser-plasma accelerators using beam shaping and ion motion effects.

Findings

Ion motion dampens transverse instabilities

Strong plasma focusing suppresses Coulomb scattering effects

Beam power loss and energy spread are minimal for sub-100 nm emittances

Abstract

In this paper we discuss design considerations and beam dynamics challenges associated with laser-driven plasma-based accelerators as applied to multi-TeV-scale linear colliders. Plasma accelerators provide ultra-high gradients and ultra-short bunches, offering the potential for compact linacs and reduced power requirements. We show that stable, efficient acceleration with beam quality preservation is possible in the nonlinear bubble regime of laser-plasma accelerators using beam shaping. Ion motion, naturally occuring for dense beams (i.e., low emittance and high energy) severely damps transverse beam instabilities. Coulomb scattering by the background ions is considered and it is shown that the strong focusing in the plasma strongly suppresses scattering-induced emittance growth. Betatron radiation emission from the transverse motion of the beam in the plasma will result in beam power loss and energy spread growth; however for sub-100 nm emittances, the beam power loss and energy spread growth will be sub-percent for multi-TeV-class plasma linacs.