UCRL-ABS-219489
The numerical simulation of plasmas is a critical tool for inertial confinement fusion and magnetic fusion energy applications. Both continuum and particle models are used for these applications, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. This talk will give an overview on progress in the numerical treatment of continuum plasma models for two distinct applications. For laser plasma interaction problems, a continuum hydrodynamic model of an unmagnetized plasma is coupled to a paraxial wave equation of the laser light. Modern numerical techniques such as adaptive mesh refinement, multigrid, and multifluid Godunov methods have been used to improve the predictive capability of LPI codes. For magnetic fusion energy, a new simulation code based on a continuum gyroaveraged kinetic model is being developed to improve the understanding of the physics in the pedestal (or edge region) of tokamak fusion reactors. The gyroaveraged kinetic equation directly evolves a particle density distribution function in a four- or five-dimensional phase space. I will discuss our approach and some of our algorithmic innovations for solving the gyrokinetic-Poisson system.
This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract W-7405-Eng-48.