Relativistic Extension of a Charge-Conservative Finite Element Solver for Time-Dependent Maxwell-Vlasov Equations
arXiv:1707.04333 · doi:10.1063/1.5004557
Abstract
In many problems involving particle accelerators and relativistic plasmas, the accurate modeling of relativistic particle motion is essential for accurate physical predictions. Here, we extend a charge-conserving finite element time-domain (FETD) particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm for the time-dependent Maxwell-Vlasov equations on irregular (unstructured) meshes to the relativistic regime by implementing and comparing three particle pushers: (relativistic) Boris, Vay, and Higuera-Cary. We illustrate the application of the proposed relativistic FETD-PIC algorithm for the analysis of particle cyclotron motion at relativistic speeds, harmonic particle oscillation in the Lorentz-boosted frame, and relativistic Bernstein modes in magnetized charge-neutral (pair) plasmas.
arXiv comment25 pages, 9 figures, v3 with some minor corrections and title change
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