IONPACK: Ionization Package for Intense Lasers and Plasma Physics Codes

70731S02-II A key part of the high-energy physics research portfolio involves plasma-based accelerator concepts, which include various ionization processes. Because accurate models of ionization physics are needed for the simulation of such processes, this project will develop a comprehensive software library of ionization models for a variety of relevant species. Field-induced processes of tunneling, barrier suppression, and multiphoton ionization will be included, as will electron-impact ionization. Together with particle-in-cell codes, the library will be used to model plasma-based accelerator experiments. Phase I laid the groundwork for a prototype library to be completed in Phase II. Software interfaces and prototype C code were developed to facilitate the direct use of the ionization library from plasma simulation codes written in any programming language. Tunneling ionization models for H, He, Li, Csc and Rb were implemented and tested. Lastly, the Li and Cs models were used for particle-in-cell simulations of a new beam-driven plasma accelerator experiment. A fully functional prototype of the software library will be implemented in Phase II. A prototype web portal will be developed to make parallel computing, data post-processing, and automated visualization accessible. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The technology should allow complex codes to become available to collaborators in a controlled fashion. Customization of the portal software to work with other scientific codes would be a potential commercial service.