Variable statistical weights for particle species in pic-mcc simulations

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51295· OSTI ID:451121

Hutchinson, D A; Turner, M M ^[1]

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1. School of Physical Science, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9 (Ireland)

In the simulation of low-pressure plasma discharges using particle-in-cell, Monte Carlo collision methods (PIC-MCC) it is important to obtain good resolution of the electron dynamics. This is obtained by having as low a number of real electrons represented by each {open_quote}{open_quote}computer electron{close_quote}{close_quote} as possible. In discharges with more than one species of ion, to have the same such statistical weight for all species soon becomes computationally expensive{emdash}the number of computer particles required rapidly increases. This is especially true for electronegative discharges, where the number of negative ions can out number that of the electrons by up to a factor of 100. In previous PIC-MCC simulations the requirement that the Monte Carlo collisions maintain charge neutrality has demanded that all statistical weights be the same. We present a scheme which enables all species to be weighted individually, thus reducing the number of {open_quote}{open_quote}computer particles{close_quote}{close_quote} required significantly, whilst maintaining resolution in the electron dynamics. Results demonstrating the reliability of this technique and the accuracy that can be maintained in the electron characteristics, especially the electron energy distribution function (EEDF), with reduced resolution in the ion dynamics are presented for Argon, Oxygen and Hydrogen discharges. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 451121
• Report Number(s): CONF-9510304--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 380; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
BEAM DYNAMICS
BEAM PRODUCTION
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ION DENSITY
ION SOURCES
PROBABILISTIC ESTIMATION