An analytic map for space charge in a nonlinear lattice

We propose a simple analytical model for an intense beam in a lattice with localized nonlinearities. In the thin lens limit a single nonlinearity leads to a Hénon like map. When the space charge is present and the core radius is small with respect to the dynamic aperture, the use of a frozen core distribution like KV is justified. In this case we define an analytic map M by composing the phase advance due to space charge, computed at the first perturbation order, with the kick due to the nonlinear force. The corresponding dynamics is almost indistinguishable from the dynamics of the “exact” map, which requires an accurate symplectic integration, if the tune depression is weak enough. The same accuracy is preserved for parametric modulations of the perveance or the beam core radius. The extension to any other distribution is straightforward.