2025/06/17 by Jiangdong Li, Li, Jiangdong, Jiancheng Yang +9
Physics and Astronomy · #Accelerator Physics (physics.acc-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics #Magnetic confinement fusion research #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2506.14132
openalex publication_date 2025/06/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/18 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Plasma-Based Acceleration (PBA) has emerged as a promising approach to achieve ultra-high gradient particle acceleration. While extensive PBA studies have been conducted using laser, electron, and proton drivers, significant challenges remain in achieving high efficiency, stable acceleration, and scalable energy gain. Meanwhile, due to their higher beam charge density, heavier particle mass and higher kinetic energy, heavy-ion beam drivers represent an interesting direction in PBA research. In this paper, the plasma wakefield acceleration driven by heavy ion beam is studied for the first time, aiming to find the best mechanism for generating high-amplitude wakefields. Using the high intensity, high energy heavy ion beams provided by the High Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF), our simulations show that heavy ions can excite stable, high-amplitude plasma wakefields up to 6 GV/m, suitable for electron acceleration. These results show good performance of heavy ion beam drivers and their potential as a viable and promising approach in the field of PBA.