Nonlinear plasma waves driven by short ultrarelativistic electron bunches
Plasma Physics
2017-10-25 v1
Abstract
We advance a theory of quasistatic approximation and investigate the excitation of nonlinear plasma waves by the driving beam of ultrarelativistic electrons using novel electrostatic-like particle- in-cell code. Assuming that the beam occupies an infinitesimally small volume, we find the radius and length of the plasma bubble formed in the wake of the driver for varying values of the beam charge. The mechanism of the bubble formation is explained by developing simple models of the bubble at large charges. Plasma electrons expelled by the driver charge excite secondary plasma waves which complicate the plasma electron flow near the bubble boundary.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1709.00017,
title = {Nonlinear plasma waves driven by short ultrarelativistic electron bunches},
author = {Tianhong Wang and Vladimir Khudik and Boris Breizman and Gennady Shvets},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1709.00017},
year = {2017}
}