1st Edition

Plasma Physics via Computer Simulation

By C.K. Birdsall, A.B Langdon Copyright 1991
    504 Pages 208 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Divided into three main parts, the book guides the reader to an understanding of the basic concepts in this fascinating field of research. Part 1 introduces you to the fundamental concepts of simulation. It examines one-dimensional electrostatic codes and electromagnetic codes, and describes the numerical methods and analysis. Part 2 explores the mathematics and physics behind the algorithms used in Part 1. In Part 3, the authors address some of the more complicated simulations in two and three dimensions. The book introduces projects to encourage practical work Readers can download plasma modeling and simulation software — the ES1 program — with implementations for PCs and Unix systems along with the original FORTRAN source code. Now available in paperback, Plasma Physics via Computer Simulation is an ideal complement to plasma physics courses and for self-study.

    PART 1: PRIMER
    Why attempting to do plasma physics via computer simulation using particles makes good sense
    Overall view of a one dimensional electrostatic program
    A one dimensional electrostatic program ES1
    Introduction to the numerical methods used
    Projects for ES1
    A 1d electromagnetic program EM1
    Projects for EM1
    PART 2: THEORY
    Effects of the spatial grid
    Effects of the finitw time ste
    Energy-conserving simulation models
    Multipole models
    Kinetic theory for fluctuations and noise; collisions
    Kinetic properties: theory, experience and heuristic estimates
    PART 3: PRACTICE
    Electrostatic programs in two and three dimensions
    Electromagnetic programs in two and three dimensions
    Particle loading, injection; boudary conditions and external circuit
    PART 4: APPENDICES

    Biography

    C.K. Birdsall (University of California, Berkeley, USA), A.B Langdon (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California, USA)

    “…very good value.”
    Australian and New Zealand Physicist

    “…comprehensive and novel book…”
    Aslib Book Guide