Transformer Ratio Measurements from Ramped Beams in the Plasma Blowout Regime using Emittance Exchange

We present initial measurements from a UCLA-Argonne Wakefield Accelerator collaborative plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) experiment aimed at demonstrating the dependence of transformer ratio on longitudinal beam shape. The transformer ratio or the ratio between the maximum acceleration of the witness and the maximum deceleration of the drive beam, is key to a mature, beam-based, plasma wakefield accelerator design. Utilizing the unique capabilities of the emittance exchange (EEX) beamline, we may obtain transformer ratios in excess of six in PWFA. We present the experimental beamline design, relevant beam diagnostics and explore preservation of the longitudinal beam profile.
Proceedings of the 10th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2019, Melbourne, Australia