Conservative algorithms for non-Maxwellian plasma kinetics
Abstract
We present a numerical model and a set of conservative algorithms for Non-Maxwellian plasma kinetics with inelastic collisions. These algorithms self-consistently solve for the time evolution of an isotropic electron energy distribution function interacting with an atomic state distribution function of an arbitrary number of levels through collisional excitation, deexcitation, as well as ionization and recombination. Electron-electron collisions, responsible for thermalization of the electron distribution, are also included in the model. The proposed algorithms guarantee mass/charge and energy conservation in a single step, and is applied to the case of non-uniform gridding of the energy axis in the phase space of the electron distribution function. Numerical test cases are shown to demonstrate the accuracy of the method and its conservation properties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4998242
Entities
People
- Hai P. Le
- Jean Luc Cambier
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- United States Department of Energy