Binary collision model in gyrokinetic simulation plasmas

Abstract

A binary collision model for plasma particle simulation is re-examined with emphasis on the application to gyrokinetic plasma description and efficient implementation on presentday vector computers. The model conserves the number of particles, the total momentum and the total energy quasi-locally. Two efficient implementation schemes are presented. The results of measurement on various relaxation rates in velocity space are shown to agree well with test particle theory. Classical cross-field transport of particles and heat in an inhomogeneous plasma is examined using this model, and the results indicate that good agreement between continuous solution of particle and heat transport and particle simulation can be achieved.