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We use the quasi-static particle-in-cell (PlC) code QuickPIC to perform full-scale one-to-one laser-wakefield- acceleration (LWFA) numerical experiments, with parameters that closely follow current experimental conditions. The propagation of state-of-the-art laser pulses in both preformed and uniform plasma channels is examined. We show that the presence of the channel is important whenever the laser self-modulations do not dominate the propagation. We examine the acceleration of an externally injected electron beam in the wake generated by ~10-J laser pulses, showing that, by using 10-cm-scale plasma channels, it is possible to accelerate electrons to more than 4 GeV. A comparison between QuickPIC and 2-D OSIRIS is provided. Good qualitative agreement between the two codes is found, but the 2-D full PlC simulations fail to predict the correct laser and wakefield amplitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-energy physics frontier is approaching the teraelectron-volt energy range for the study of the Higgs particle. To reach teraelectron-volt energy for charged particles, a high-gradient acceleration structure is desirable. Recent plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) experiment has shown sustained acceleration gradient of 50 GeV/m in a meter-long plasma [1]. To study the relevant physics in an "afterburner" concept [2], i.e., an energy booster based on PWFA for the ILC-type parameters, we conduct 3-D particle-in-cell (PlC) simulation of the nonlinear beam-plasma interactions. A multiscale PlC model is developed using the quasi-static description of the interaction. We present images from the simulation, which illustrate the physical picture of an afterburner and the evolution of the accelerated beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PlC) simulations with the code QuickPIC are used to illustrate the typical accelerating structures associated with the interaction of an intense laser beam with an underdense plasma in the blowout regime. Our simulations are performed with an externally injected electron beam, which is positioned in the region of maximum accelerating gradients. As the laser propagates in the plasma, an almost complete electron cavitation occurs, leading to the generation of accelerating fields in excess of 1 GeV/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]