Simulation of the Wisconsin-Argonne Plasma Wakefield Experiment

The plasma wakefield accelerator (PWFA) is an advanced accelerator concept that uses the large electric fields that can be generated in a plasma to accelerate charged particles. We present the results of a self-consistent two-dimensional simulation of the first experiment designed to test this concept. Linear theory predicts for this experiment an accelerating gradient of approximately 95 MV/m. However, the simulations indicate that a much larger accelerating field is achieved in the plasma. This enhancement is due to strong beam pinching, which is not treated self-consistently by a linear theory. Wave steepening due to a nonlinear modulation of the background plasma is also observed. This steepening results in a phase shift that degrades the acceleration.