Practicality of magnetic compression for plasma density control
Abstract
Plasma densification through magnetic compression has been suggested for time-resolved control of the wave properties in plasma-based accelerators [P. F. Schmit and N. J. Fisch, Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 255003 (2012)]. Using particle in cell simulations with real mass ratio, the practicality of large magnetic compression on timescales shorter than the ion gyro-period is investigated. For compression times shorter than the transit time of a compressional Alfven wave across the plasma slab, results show the formation of two counter-propagating shock waves, leading to a highly non-uniform plasma density profile. Furthermore, the plasma slab displays large hydromagnetic like oscillations after the driving field has reached steady state. Peak compression is obtained when the two shocks collide in the mid-plane. At this instant, very large plasma heating is observed, and the plasma β is estimated to be about 1. Although these results point out a densification mechanism quite different and more complex than initially envisioned, these features still might be advantageous in particle accelerators.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4943877
Entities
People
- Nathaniel Fisch
- Renaud Gueroult
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Princeton University
- United States Department of Energy