Plasma Physics via Computer Simulation / Edition 1

by C.K. Birdsall, A.B Langdon

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750310253
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/2004
Series:	Series in Plasma Physics , #15
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

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 finite 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; boundary conditions and external circuit PART 4: APPENDICES

Editorial Reviews

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

“…comprehensive and novel book…”
— Aslib Book Guide

From the Publisher