C56-33c: An integrated design tool for plasma channel systems

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Fundamental improvements to the energy, brightness, and stability of next generation plasma-based accelerators are essential to maintain rapid innovation and scientific productivity. Controllable plasma channels can significantly improve electron and positron beam energy and quality from plasma-based accelerators, while plasma lens and de-chirper systems can enhance beam control and diagnostics for an array of high-brightness accelerator systems. Despite recent advances in these technologies, improving their design and optimization remains a challenge. Significant difficulties remain in effectively modeling these systems for realistic operating conditions. GENERAL STATEMENT OF HOW THE PROBLEM IS BEING ADDRESSED We are developing high-fidelity simulations of structured plasma channels using a publicly available radiation hydrodynamics software. We are augmenting the software to address specialized needs for improved initial conditions and energy exchange. We are benchmarking the new models against experimental measurements. We are creating new tools for exchanging data between other community software to permit rapid optimization. WHAT IS TO BE DONE IN PHASE I? We will develop state-of-the-art two-dimensional simulations of plasma channels. We will evaluate the sensitivity of the simulations to variations in initial conditions and choice of physical model. We will benchmark our models against experiment studies. We will develop tools to couple the resulting software with community tracking software to enable end-to-end simulations of a plasma accelerator source. We will perform a series of integrated simulations demonstrating the application of these tools to a plasma source with realistic parameters. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS Our commercialization strategy is to provide highly skilled scientific and engineering R&D consulting across a broad range of markets. We will leverage the unique, state-of-the-art capabilities of our developed software and corresponding cloud-based platform to provide sophisticated simulation support for a diverse set of industry and research partners. Our target customers include laboratories, universities, and businesses with direct needs for plasma technologies. Current efforts to commercialize these capabilities have already yielded ongoing contract R&D at multiple institutions.