Theory and Simulations of Beam Dynamics and Radiation Emission in Plasma-Based Devices

This book presents a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of beam dynamics and radiation processes in plasma-based particle acceleration, a rapidly advancing field offering compact and high-gradient alternatives to conventional accelerator technologies. By exploiting plasma wakefields driven by intense laser pulses or relativistic particle beams, such systems enable accelerating gradients orders of magnitude higher than traditional radio-frequency approaches. Focusing on both theoretical foundations and computational methods, the book develops advanced tools to support the analysis and design of next-generation plasma-based accelerators and radiation sources. A central component is a dedicated numerical framework for calculating electromagnetic radiation from relativistic charged particles based on Liénard–Wiechert fields, allowing parallel computation of coherent and incoherent emission with full temporal and spectral resolution. The text further explores the physics of betatron radiation in plasma channels, extending analytical models to include nonlinear transverse dynamics, longitudinal acceleration, and radiation-reaction effects, while identifying limitations in spectral performance. In addition, it introduces the concept of Active Plasma Bending devices, providing a detailed theoretical and numerical description of beam transport, chromatic effects, and radiation emission in curved plasma channels. Combining analytical insight with validated numerical tools, this book offers a coherent and flexible modelling framework for researchers and advanced students working in plasma physics, accelerator science, and advanced light sources.