3D multispecies nonlinear perturbative particle simulations of collective processes in intense particle beams for heavy ion fusion

Abstract

Collective processes in intense charged particle beams for heavy ion fusion are studied using a 3D multispecies nonlinear perturbative particle simulation method, which solves self-consistently the nonlinear Vlasov–Maxwell equations. The newly-developed Beam Equilibrium Stability and Transport code is used to simulate the nonlinear stability properties of intense beam propagation, surface and body eigenmodes in a high-intensity beam, and the electron-ion two-stream instability, which occurs when a small population of (unwanted) electrons is present in the system.