Radiative Damping in Plasma-Based Accelerators

Abstract

The effects of radiation reaction on electron beam dynamics are studied in the context of plasma‐based accelerators. Electrons accelerated in a plasma channel undergo transverse betatron oscillations due to strong focusing forces. These oscillations lead to emission by the electrons of synchrotron radiation, with a corresponding energy loss that affects the beam properties. An analytical model for the single particle orbits and beam moments including the classical radiation reaction force is derived and compared to the results of a particle transport code. It is shown that the radiation could significantly affect the beam properties (e.g., increased relative energy spread) in plasma wakefield accelerators.