New approach for simulation of large cluster impact using smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

Abstract

Using large‐scale atomistic simulations, it has been shown that the macroscopic cratering behavior emerges for projectile impacts on Au at projectile sizes between 1000 and 10 000 Au atoms at impact velocities comparable to typical meteoroid velocities. This indicates that the continuum model‐like fluid can be a possible candidate for the physical model of large cluster sputtering. Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a mesh‐free particle method for obtaining approximate numerical solutions of the equations of fluid dynamics by replacing the fluid with a set of particles. In this work, SPH has been introduced for the first time as an alternative but macroscopic thus quick method for the computer simulation of large cluster impact. It has been demonstrated that cratering process can be observed at the impact simulation of water cluster on water target. The SPH simulation can be applied after improvements in physical models and algorithms to investigate the sputtering effect on solid target using water cluster primary ion beams. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.