Ultra high-gradient energy loss by a pulsed electron beam in a plasma

Abstract

The plasma wake-field mechanism can be used to couple energy at a high rate from a bunched electron beam into a plasma wave. We will present results from the Fermilab A0 facility where a beam with an initial energy of 14 MeV passes through the plasma to emerge with a much broader energy spread, spanning from a low of 3 MeV to a high of over 20 MeV. Over the 8 cm lenth of the 10 14 cm 3 plasma, this implies a 140 MeV/m deceleration and 72 MeV/m acceleration gradient.

Future Accelerators, Muon Colliders, and Neutrino Factories

“…The configuration used up until now produces both accelerated and decelerated particles in the beam. Barov and Rosenzweig [25] have seen similar results in a plasma at the Fermilab A0 photo-injector. One exciting possibility for the SLAC project is the prospect of using a plasma afterburner as an energy doubler for the SLAC linac [26].…”

Design and applications of an X-band hybrid photoinjector

“…With an rms bunch length s z of 600 mm (2 ps), and the condition for most efficient wakefield deceleration on the beam k p s z ffi 2, where the plasma wave-number k p ¼ ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 4pr e n 0 p , we deduce that n 0 ffi3 Â 10 14 cm À 3 . This parameter was in fact our goal in the present study; as it is within the reach of a hollow cathode arc source UCLA has been developed previously for PWFA applications [19].…”

Plasma Density Transition Trapping as a Possible High-Brightness Electron Beam Source

“…N. Barov et al have produced wake fields ≥ 140MeV/m in a 10 14 cm −3 plasma at FNAL 19 . In this experiment the drive beam enters the plasma through a metal foil, one side of which is immersed in the plasma and experiences the large plasma fields.…”