Lorentz-boosted LWFA simulations: developments in simulation of self-injection and flying focus laser pulses

Given the high cost of full-resolution PIC simulations of LWFA, Lorentz-boosted simulations present an attractive path forward for simulation of new concepts in LWFA. Although boosted frame simulations have become more robust over the past decade through the development of new electromagnetic field solvers and algorithms dedicated to the suppression of the numerical Cherenkov instability, accurate modeling of self-injection in nonlinear wakes using boosted LWFA simulations remains a challenge because of the drastic reduction in macroparticle statistics. We present comparison lab frame and boosted frame simulations of downramp injection using OSIRIS. In addition, there is recent interest in studying how “flying focus” laser pulses could be used to overcome dephasing in LWFA. We describe a generalized antenna implemented in OSIRIS for a flying focus laser as well as boosted frame simulations of LWFA for such laser pulses. Analogous lab-frame simulations are very challenging.