Kinetic simulations of the PFRC-2 using the VPIC code*

This study concerns our recent attempts to simulate the Princeton Field-Reversed Configuration-2 (PFRC-2) heating and confinement system. The goal is to perform full-scale 3D kinetic simulations of the PFRC-2 device and investigate energy and particle flow in high-β plasmas. To model the RMF antenna, flux conservers, and mirror coils of the PFRC-2, three-dimensional kinetic simulations are performed using the VPIC  particle in cell code[1]. By using appropriate length and time scales the current of each coil is defined over the relevant cells. Thus, the electric and magnetic fields induced by each coil are calculated self consistently. Finally, a fully ionized collisionless Hydrogen plasma case is studied and simulation results are discussed.

 

[1]. K.J. Bowers, B.J. Albright, B. Bergen and T.J.T. Kwan, Ultrahigh performance three-dimensional electromagnetic relativistic kinetic plasma simulation, Phys. Plasmas 15, 055703 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2840133