Preliminary Documentation of the MACH (Mesothermal Auroral CHarging) Code.

Abstract

This report documents the input and output considerations for the computer code MACH, and the analytical models incorporated therein. Actual FORTRAN and C coding is not given. MACH has been designed to study Mesothermal Auroral CHarging, and other problems requiring a self-consistent steady-state solution of Poisson's equation with precise kinetic transport of charged particles. The solution space is two dimensional (axisymmetric) in configuration space, and three dimensional in velocity space. MACH code features include: limited object definition capability; Poisson's solution by hybrid SOR; stationary or drifting Maxwellian plasma; and a collisionless Vlasov approximation to particle transport, solved by a reverse trajectory 'inside-out method' augmented with a velocity space topology search algorithm. Keywords: Auroral ionosphere, 2-D Mach, Partical tracking, Poisson solution, Spacecraft charging, Vlasov solution. (KR)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 18, 1987
Accession Number
ADA198921

Entities

People

  • A. G. Rubin
  • D. C. Cooke
  • G. K. Yates
  • M. F. Tautz

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Computer Programming
  • Particles
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Steady State
  • Three Dimensional
  • Trajectories
  • Transport Ships
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster