Speaker
Dr
Jorge Vieira
(Instituto Superior Tecnico)
Description
Particle-in-cell simulations play an important role in advancing the knowledge of laser (LWFA) and plasma (PWFA) wakefield accelerators. However, full-scale simulations in the conditions of near future experiments are very computationally intensive. Accurately modeling these scenarios therefore requires state-of-the-art numerical codes combined with novel algorithms capable to capture key physics while minimizing computational requirements. This talk will show simulation results of next generation LWFA's and PWFA's describing challenges associated with full-scale modeling of these scenarios. A key challenge for LWFAs is performing three-dimensional simulations of electron acceleration meter-long plasmas in self-injection regimes. As a first step towards this goal we present LWFA simulations of externally injected electrons in boosted frames, and describe a new ponderomotive guiding center algorithm that could be used to explore self-injection in meter-long LWFAs. In connection with future experiments at CERN and SLAC, one of the critical challenges for future generations of PWFAs is three-dimensional modeling of self-modulated plasma wakefield accelerators. We present simulation results of self-modulated PWFAs driven by electrons, positrons and protons emphasizing the importance of 3D modeling to include all key physics expected in experiments.
Primary author
Dr
Jorge Vieira
(Instituto Superior Tecnico)
