Implicit method for electromagnetic plasma simulation in two dimensions

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Comput. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9991(82)90016-X· OSTI ID:5012196

Brackbill, J U; Forslund, D W

A new method for modeling low-frequency plasma phenomena is presented. The method uses an implicit formulation of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations to relax restrictions on the time-step and mesh spacing so that larger values which correspond to the frequencies and wavelengths of interest can be used. As a result, the range of length and time scales accessible to plasma simulation is increased by orders of magnitude. The algorithm, as embodied in a new code VENUS for electromagnetic plasmas in two dimensions is described, its stability and accuracy analyzed through linear and nonlinear analysis, and its properties, including suppression of the finite grid instability, illustrated through its application to the Weibel instability.

• Research Organization: Applied Theoretical Physics Division, Low Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 5012196
• Journal Information: J. Comput. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Comput. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 46:2; ISSN JCTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700105* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical-- (-1987)
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
ACCURACY
ALGORITHMS
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
FIELD EQUATIONS
INSTABILITY
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
SIMULATION
STABILITY
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS