Optimization of positron trapping and acceleration in an electron-beam-driven plasma wakefield accelerator

Positron trapping and acceleration in a plasma wake using a four-bunch scheme [ X. Wang et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 101 124801 (2008)] is numerically investigated through 2D particle-in-cell simulations. This scheme that integrates positron generation, trapping, and acceleration into a single stage is a promising approach for investigating positron acceleration in an electron-beam-driven wake. It consists of a plasma with an embedded thin foil target into which two closely spaced electron beams are shot. The first beam creates a region for accelerating and focusing positrons and the second beam provides positrons to be accelerated. Some of the outstanding issues related to the quality of the accelerated positron beam load are discussed as a function of the beam and plasma parameters. Simulations show that a large number of positrons (10⁷–10⁸) can be trapped when the plasma wake is modestly nonlinear, and the positron-generating foil target must be immersed into the plasma. Beam loading can reduce the energy spread of the positron beam load. The quality of the positron beam load is not very sensitive to the exact bunch spacing between the drive electron bunch and the positron beam load.