Use of a hybrid code for global-scale plasma simulation

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Computational Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/jcph.1996.0124· OSTI ID:440760

Swift, D W ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK (United States)

This paper presents a demonstration of the use of a hybrid code to model the Earth`s magnetosphere on a global scale. The typical hybrid code calculates the interaction of fully kinetic ions and a massless electron fluid with the magnetic field. This code also includes a fluid ion component to approximate the cold ionospheric plasma that spatially overlaps with the discrete particle component. Other innovative features of the code include a numerically generated curvilinear coordinate system and subcycling of the magnetic field update to the particle push. These innovations allow the code to accommodate disparate time and distance scales. The demonstration is a simulation of the noon meridian plane of the magnetosphere. The code exhibits the formation of fast and slow-mode shocks and tearing reconnection at the magnetopause. New results include particle acceleration in the cusp and nearly field aligned currents linking the cusp and polar ionosphere. The paper also describes a density depletion instability and measures to avoid it. 27 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 440760
• Journal Information: Journal of Computational Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Computational Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 126; ISSN 0021-9991; ISSN JCTPAH
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ALGORITHMS
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA FLUID EQUATIONS
PLASMA SIMULATION