Title :
Three-Dimensional Structure of the Laser Wakefield Accelerator in the Blowout Regime
Author :
Vieira, J.F. ; Martins, S.F. ; Fiuza, F. ; Fonseca, R.A. ; Silva, L.O. ; Huang, C. ; Lu, W. ; Tzoufras, M. ; Tsung, F. ; Mori, W.B. ; Cooley, J. ; Antonsen, T., Jr.
Author_Institution :
Inst. Super. Tecnico, Lisbon
Abstract :
Three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations with the code QuickPIC are used to illustrate the typical accelerating structures associated with the interaction of an intense laser beam with an underdense plasma in the blowout regime. Our simulations are performed with an externally injected electron beam, which is positioned in the region of maximum accelerating gradients. As the laser propagates in the plasma, an almost complete electron cavitation occurs, leading to the generation of accelerating fields in excess of 1 GeV/cm.
Keywords :
electron accelerators; plasma light propagation; plasma simulation; plasma transport processes; plasma waves; wakefield accelerators; 3D particle in cell simulations; QuickPIC code; accelerating field generation; blowout regime; electron accelerators; electron cavitation; externally injected electron beam; laser wakefield accelerator 3D structure; plasma waves; underdense plasma; wavelength 0.8 mum; Acceleration; Electron beams; Laser modes; Laser theory; Particle accelerators; Particle beams; Plasma accelerators; Plasma density; Plasma simulation; Plasma waves; Electron accelerators; lasers; plasma waves; simulation;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TPS.2008.922930
