A Three-Dimensional Finite Volume Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian code for plasma simulations

Luis Bilbao

doi:10.1063/1.2405990

Abstract

A Three‐Dimensional Finite Volume Arbitrary Lagrangian‐Eulerian simulation code was developed to study different plasma physics problems in 3D+t. The code is based on a complex multi‐component species program with transport and radiation terms written and applied to plasma and fusion physics problems. Three different examples are shown: double‐base chemical propellant combustion, ignition and propagation of a thermonuclear detonation wave, and, the development of the Kelvin‐Helmholtz (KH) instability in local plane slab models of the magnetopause, showing the response of a background equilibrium to the excitation by finite amplitude perturbations generated upstream.

Highlights

PLASMA EQUATIONSA Three-Dimensional Finite Volume Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian simulation code was developed, that includes ion viscosity, thermal conduction, magnetic diffusion, thermonuclear production or chemical reactions, Bremsstrahlung radiation, EOS.Nowadays there exist several efficient numerical codes in the subject
The code is based on a complex multi-component species program with transport and radiation terms written and applied to plasma and fusion physics problems
On the other hand the construction of own computational codes brings the following important advantages: a) to get a deeper knowledge of the physical processes involved and the numerical methods used to simulate them, and b) more flexibility to adapt the code to particular situations in a more efficient way than a closed general code would

Summary

INTRODUCTION

A Three-Dimensional Finite Volume Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian simulation code was developed, that includes ion viscosity, thermal conduction (electrons and ions), magnetic diffusion, thermonuclear production or chemical reactions (including local and non-local capabilities for the deposition of the charged thermonuclear products), Bremsstrahlung radiation, EOS (from the ideal gas to the degenerate electron gas). On the other hand the construction of own computational codes brings the following important advantages: a) to get a deeper knowledge of the physical processes involved and the numerical methods used to simulate them, and b) more flexibility to adapt the code to particular situations in a more efficient way than a closed general code would. These advantages have motivated the present work, which is intended to set a starting point in the subject. This optional step involves adding artificial pressure if shock waves must be captured, and artificial volume acceleration if some smoothing is required in order to dissipate numerical oscillations

15. Write results in file

CONCLUSIONS