Optimized 1d-1v Vlasov-Poisson simulations using a filtered Fourier-Hermite spectral discretization

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:419675

Schumer, J W; Holloway, J P ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

The Vlasov-Poisson simulations to be presented evolved from a spatially periodic phase-space distribution f(x, v, t) represented by a Fourier basis in space and an asymmetrically-normalized Hermite representation in velocity. A filtered Vlasov equation is integrated through time with an O({Delta}t{sup 2})-accurate splitting method, using a O({Delta}t{sup 4}) Runge-Kutta time advancement scheme on the v{partial_derivative}{sub x}f and E{partial_derivative}{sub v}f terms separately, between which the self-consistent electric field is calculated. This method improves upon that of previous works by the combined use of two optimization techniques: exact Gaussian filtering and variable velocity scale Hermite basis functions. This algorithm conserves particles and momentum exactly, and total energy in the limit of continuous time. Relative errors with respect to linear plasma theory have been shown to be an order of magnitude lower than those found in comparable Fourier-Fourier schemes.

• OSTI ID: 419675
• Report Number(s): CONF-960634--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCURACY
ALGORITHMS
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
DIGITAL FILTERS
HERMITE POLYNOMIALS
PLASMA SIMULATION
RUNGE-KUTTA METHOD