Numerical Aspects of Particle-in-Cell Simulations for Plasma-Motion Modeling of Electric Thrusters

Gallo, Giuseppe; Isoldi, Adriano; Gatto, D Del; Savino, Raffaele; Capozzoli, Amedeo; Curcio, Claudio; Liseno, Angelo

doi:10.3390/aerospace8050138

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…It should be emphasized that the dominant computational cost of grid-based PIC algorithms is roughly proportional to the number of particles in physical volume and simulation time [137]. The computational performance can be enhanced using parallelization [138]. For example, the vectorization strategy implemented in the PIC code Smilei [139] takes advantage from the optimization of particle's projection, push, deposition operators and an efficient sorting of the particles [140].…”

Section: Numerical Algorithms Used In the Pic Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast laser matter interactions: modeling approaches, challenges, and prospects

Miloshevsky

2022

Modelling Simul. Mater. Sci. Eng.

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The irradiation of the target surface by an ultrafast femtosecond (fs) laser pulse produces the extreme nonequilibrium states of matter and subsequent phase transformations. Computational modeling and simulation is a very important tool for gaining insight into the physics processes that govern the laser-matter interactions, and, specifically, for quantitative understanding the laser light absorption, electronion energy exchange, spallation, melting, warm dense matter regime, vaporization, and expansion of plasma plume. High-fidelity predictive modeling of a variety of these multi-physics processes that take place at various time and length scales is extremely difficult, requiring the coupled multi-physics and multi-scale models. This topical review covers progress and advances in developing the modeling approaches and performing the state-of-the-art simulations of fs laser-pulse interactions with solids and plasmas. A complete kinetic description of a plasma based on the most accurate Vlasov-Maxwell set of equations is first presented and discussed in detail. After that an exact kinetic model that encompasses the microscopic motions of all the individual particles, their charge and current densities, generated electric and magnetic fields, and the effects of these field on the motion of charged particles in a plasma is briefly reviewed. The methodology of kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) approach that is well suitable for computational studies of the non-linear processes in laser-plasma interactions is then presented. The hydrodynamic models used for the description of plasmas under the assumption of a local thermodynamic equilibrium include the two-fluid and two-temperature model and its simplifications. The two-temperature model coupled with molecular dynamics (MD) method is finally discussed. Examples are illustrated from research areas such as applications of the fully kinetic, PIC, hydrodynamic, and MD models to studies of ultrafast laser-matter interactions. Challenges and prospects in the development of computational models and their applications to the modeling of ultrafast intense laser-solid and laser-plasma interactions are overviewed.

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Section: Numerical Algorithms Used In the Pic Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast laser matter interactions: modeling approaches, challenges, and prospects

Miloshevsky

2022

Modelling Simul. Mater. Sci. Eng.

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“…Thrusters can be categorized based on diverse working principles, such as Hall thrusters showing a high thrust efficiency and high ion beam density due to a moderate magnetic field applied to the acceleration zone [47], pulsed plasma thrusters [48], electrospray thrusters working with ionic liquid propellants [49,50], etc. While Hall thrusters are most often used for satellites [51], applications requiring lower energies, such as the aforementioned CubeSats or other microsatellites, can be driven and navigated by microcathode arc or other plasma thrusters, field emission thrusters, electrospray thrusters, or different sorts of electric thrusters [52][53][54][55].…”

Section: Thrustersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal Additive Manufacturing for Satellites and Rockets

Błachowicz

Ehrmann²,

Ehrmann

2021

Applied Sciences

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The emerging technology of 3D printing can not only be used for rapid prototyping, but will also play an important role in space exploration. Additive manufactured parts can be used in diverse space applications, such as magnetic shields, heat pipes, thrusters, etc. Three-dimensional printed parts offer reduced mass, high possible complexity, and fast printability of custom-made objects. On the other hand, materials which are not excessively damaged by the harsh conditions in space and are also printable by available technologies are not abundantly available. This review gives an overview of recent metal additive manufacturing technologies and their possible applications in space, with a focus on satellites and rockets, highlighting already applied technologies and materials and gives an outlook on possible future applications and challenges.

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Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms

Taccogna,

Cichocki,

Eremin

et al. 2023

Journal of Applied Physics

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This Perspective paper deals with an overview of particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision models applied to different plasma-propulsion configurations and scenarios, from electrostatic (E×B and pulsed arc) devices to electromagnetic (RF inductive, helicon, electron cyclotron resonance) thrusters, as well as plasma plumes and their interaction with the satellite. The most important items related to the modeling of plasma–wall interaction are also presented. Finally, the paper reports new progress in the particle-in-cell computational methodology, in particular, regarding accelerating computational techniques for multi-dimensional simulations and plasma chemistry Monte Carlo modules for molecular and alternative propellants.

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Numerical Aspects of Particle-in-Cell Simulations for Plasma-Motion Modeling of Electric Thrusters

Cited by 3 publications

References 43 publications

Ultrafast laser matter interactions: modeling approaches, challenges, and prospects

Ultrafast laser matter interactions: modeling approaches, challenges, and prospects

Metal Additive Manufacturing for Satellites and Rockets

Plasma propulsion modeling with particle-based algorithms

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