Electromagnetic field algorithm for 2D implicit plasma simulation

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Comput. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9991(87)90038-6· OSTI ID:6193437

Mason, R J

A new, robust algorithm is presented for the implicit calculation of the electromagnetic fields used in the full-particle and hybrid modeling of 2D simulation plasmas. The algorithm allows for calculations at time steps ..delta..t well in excess of the plasma period and for mesh scales ..delta..x far exceeding the Debye length: with electron inertial terms retained. The implicit fields suppress the numerical instability associated with plasma waves. Still, the ..delta..t remain constrained by an electron Courant limit. The algorithm is considerably simpler than earlier implicit schemes, and more complete in its treatment of field errors. In its present form the algorithm is limited to plasmas moving and accelerating in a plane across a single component of magnetic field. An extension to include all the field components is suggested, however. In accordance with the implicit moment method, estimated electric and magnetic fields are obtained by solving Maxwell's equations self-consistently for a set of implicit sources, estimated with the aid of an auxiliary set of lower fluid moment equations (for component fluxes and density). The fluid pressure terms are treated explicitly, and the spatial differencing of the auxiliary moments is centered to facilitate the solution of the resultant field equations.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 6193437
• Journal Information: J. Comput. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 71:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA SIMULATION
ALGORITHMS
A CODES
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
COMPUTER CODES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SIMULATION
700103* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Kinetics