Interaction of relativistic short proton bunches with space charge limited electron clouds

Abstract

The electron cloud buildup and interaction with a train of relativistic, short proton bunches is studied using particle-in-cell codes. The simulation models describe the electron generation at the beam pipe wall as well as the wakefield behind the bunches. The study focuses on the space charge limited (saturated) cloud profile between the bunches and on the incoherent tune spread caused by the interaction of the saturated cloud with individual bunches. Analytical expressions describing the pinch of a saturated electron cloud are derived and compared to simulation results.