Interaction of muon beam with plasma developed during ionization cooling

Particle-in-cell simulations involving the interaction of a muon beam (peak density 1018m−3) with Li plasma (ionized medium) of density 1016−1022m−3 have been performed. This study aimed to understand the effects of a plasma on an incoming beam in order to explore the dynamics during the process of ionization cooling. The computer code takes into account the self-consistent electromagnetic effects of a beam interacting with a plasma. This study shows that the beam can pass through plasmas with densities four orders of magnitude higher than the beam peak density. A low density (1016m−3) plasma is completely displaced by the beam; however, a strong wake is observed when the beam and plasma densities are comparable. Presence of an external magnetic field at the cooling channel helps to suppress the magnitude of the plasma wave.