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Numerical solution of the electron transport equation in the upper atmosphere

Journal Article · · Journal of Computational Physics
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (United States). Dept. of Mathematical Sciences

A new approach for solving the electron transport equation in the upper atmosphere is derived. The problem is a very stiff boundary value problem, and to obtain an accurate numerical solution, matrix factorizations are used to decouple the fast and slow modes. A stable finite difference method is applied to each mode. This solver is applied to a simplified problem for which an exact solution exists using various versions of the boundary conditions that might arise in a natural auroral display. The numerical and exact solutions are found to agree with each other, verifying the method.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1478331
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1702376
Report Number(s):
SAND--2017-8093J; 655787
Journal Information:
Journal of Computational Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Computational Physics Journal Issue: C Vol. 376; ISSN 0021-9991
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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