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  • Open Access

Evolution of transversely asymmetric electron beams in hollow plasma channels

Siqin Ding1, Shiyu Zhou2,*, Fei Li2, Jianfei Hua1, and Wei Lu2,†

  • *Contact author: zhousy@ihep.ac.cn
  • †Contact author: weilu@ihep.ac.cn
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Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 29, 103601 – Published 7 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/13fz-y5wy

Abstract

Plasma wakefield acceleration in hollow plasma channels has emerged as a promising approach for positron acceleration, since an electron beam can drive wakes with a transversely uniform accelerating field and no intrinsic defocusing force for positrons. Recently, it was proposed that a transversely asymmetric electron beam can excite quadrupole-dominated wakefield in a hollow channel, enabling the formation of accelerating and focusing fields suitable for positrons [S. Zhou et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 174801 (2021)]. However, the self-consistent evolution and stability of such asymmetric drivers, which are crucial for sustaining a usable wake over long distances, remain insufficiently understood. In this work, we investigate the evolution of wakefield driven by asymmetric electron beams in hollow plasma channels using fully three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. We identify two distinct unstable scenarios: a reversal of quadrupole field polarity and continuous penetration of the driver into the plasma wall. By analyzing the transverse dynamics of the driver and the restoring forces provided by the channel ions, we establish simple physical criteria that ensure stable propagation. These results clarify the fundamental constraints governing asymmetric-driver evolution, provide practical guidance for realizing long-lived, quasisteady wakes in hollow plasma channels, and indicate that the scheme can preserve mm mrad-level normalized positron emittance.

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Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 29, 103601– Published 7 October, 2026
  • Received 29 March 2026
  • Accepted 5 August 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

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