Plasma Accelerator For Decaying Particles

TL;DR

This paper proposes a plasma wakefield acceleration method that efficiently accelerates particles from subrelativistic to relativistic speeds over very short distances by matching the wake's velocity to the particle beam using tailored plasma densities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel plasma acceleration scheme with a theoretical model and simulation validation that can accelerate particles from low to high velocities in millimeter-scale distances.

Findings

Theoretical model accurately predicts acceleration dynamics.

Simulations confirm effective acceleration over millimeter scales.

Method extends dephasing length by matching wake and beam velocities.

Abstract

We introduce a plasma wakefield acceleration scheme capable of boosting initially subrelativistic particles to relativistic velocities within millimeter-scale distances. A subluminal light pulse drives a wake whose velocity is continuously matched to the beam speed through a tailored plasma density, thereby extending the dephasing length. We develop a theoretical model that is generalizable across particle mass, initial velocity, and the particular accelerating bucket being used, and we verify its accuracy with particle-in-cell simulations using laser drivers with energies in the Joule range.