Theoretical study of the ECRIPAC accelerator concept

TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the ECRIPAC plasma accelerator concept, including its working principles, stability conditions, and design parameters, aiming to support future research and applications.

Contribution

It offers the first thorough review and mathematical derivation of the ECRIPAC accelerator's physical principles, correcting prior literature and analyzing stability constraints.

Findings

Identified more stringent stability limitations than previously thought.

Analyzed physical parameters affecting accelerator design.

Provided detailed formulas and theoretical insights for future development.

Abstract

The Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Plasma ACcelerator (ECRIPAC) is an original concept for a plasma-based particle accelerator able to generate pulsed ion beams with adjustable energy, targeting mostly medical applications. This paper thoroughly reviews the working principle and physical theory behind the ECRIPAC accelerator concept, incorporating significant corrections to the existing limited literature on the subject, making it a suitable reference for future studies. Mathematical derivations for several physical formulas are also included. Moreover, a detailed theoretical investigation of the stability condition for the ion acceleration is presented, highlighting more stringent limitations than previously anticipated. Next, the impact of several physical parameters on the accelerator design is analyzed, providing an overview of achievable external fields and plasma characteristics allowing a stable ion acceleration.