Convolutional hybrid-PIC modeling of non-neutral plasmas

Abstract

Non-neutral plasmas can excite many nonlinear plasma phenomena, e.g., collisionless shocks, sheath layers, solitons, and plasma plumes. It is a fundamental issue in fields such as astrophysics, space physics, nuclear fusion, and plasma propulsion. Hybrid PIC methods are currently the most commonly used techniques for simulating non-neutral plasmas. However, the numerical methods for solving hybrid PIC model of non-neutral plasma have some shortcomings. Here, a new method called convolutional hybrid-PIC (conv-HPIC) is proposed to address this problem. This method replaces the Poisson's equation in the hybrid PIC with a convolution equation. The conv-HPIC method avoids iteration, suppresses numerical noise and exhibits high computational efficiency. It is expected to become a powerful tool for exploring nonlinear phenomena in non-neutral plasmas.