Gas discharge plasma is the most common type of low-temperature plasma, with a large number of practical applications covering almost all areas of modern science and technology. This book is an introduction to the numerical modeling methods for gas discharge plasmas. It is intended to assist and direct graduate students and junior researchers, whose research activity deals with computational plasma physics. Topics covered include the essentials of basic modeling approaches (particle, fluid, and hybrid) for gas discharges, and the implementation of these methods with examples of glow (DC and RF) discharges. Numerical studies of nonlinear dynamics and formation of spatio-temporal patterns in gas discharge systems are also presented.

Gas discharge plasma is the most common type of low-temperature plasma, with a large number of practical applications covering almost all areas of modern science and technology. This book is an introduction to the numerical modeling methods for gas discharge plasmas. It is intended to assist and direct graduate students and junior researchers, whose research activity deals with computational plasma physics. Topics covered include the essentials of basic modeling approaches (particle, fluid, and hybrid) for gas discharges, and the implementation of these methods with examples of glow (DC and RF) discharges. Numerical studies of nonlinear dynamics and formation of spatio-temporal patterns in gas discharge systems are also presented.

Gas discharge plasma is the most common type of low-temperature plasma, with a large number of practical applications covering almost all areas of modern science and technology. This book is an introduction to the numerical modeling methods for gas discharge plasmas. It is intended to assist and direct graduate students and junior researchers, whose research activity deals with computational plasma physics. Topics covered include the essentials of basic modelling approaches (particle, fluid, and hybrid) for gas discharges, and the implementation of these methods with examples of glow (DC and RF) discharges. Numerical studies of nonlinear dynamics and formation of spatio-temporal patterns in gas discharge systems are also presented. Key Features Focuses solely on gas discharge plasmas Covers basic modelling techniques, including particle, fluid, and hybrid Provides details of applications and implementation for the considered methods Special emphasis is given to the applicability and reliability of different modelling techniques Provides specific examples of numerical simulations of the gas discharge plasmas

The study of plasmas is crucial in improving our understanding of the universe, and they are being increasingly utilised in key technologies such as spacecraft thrusters, plasma medicine, and fusion energy. Providing readers with an easy to follow set of examples that clearly illustrate how simulation codes are written, this book guides readers through how to develop C++ computer codes for simulating plasmas primarily with the kinetic Particle in Cell (PIC) method. This text will be invaluable to advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics and engineering looking to learn how to put the theory to the test. Features: Provides a step-by-step introduction to plasma simulations with easy to follow examples Discusses the electrostatic and electromagnetic Particle in Cell (PIC) method on structured and unstructured meshes, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and Vlasov solvers Covered topics include Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) collisions, surface interactions, axisymmetry, and parallelization strategies. Lubos Brieda has over 15 years of experience developing plasma and gas simulation codes for electric propulsion, contamination transport, and plasma-surface interactions. As part of his master’s research work, he developed a 3D ES-PIC electric propulsion plume code, Draco, which is to this date utilized by government labs and private aerospace firms to study plasma thruster plumes. His Ph.D, obtained in 2012 from George Washington University, USA, focused on a multi-scale model for Hall thrusters utilizing fluid-kinetic hybrid PIC codes. He has since then been involved in numerous projects involving development and the use of plasma simulation tools. Since 2014 he has been teaching online courses on plasma simulations through his website: particleincell.com.

This book presents the theory of gas discharge plasmas in a didactical way. It explains the processes in gas discharge plasmas. A gas discharge plasma is an ionized gas which is supported by an external electric field. Therefore its parameters are determined by processes in it. The properties of a gas discharge plasma depend on its gas component, types of external fields, their geometry and regimes of gas discharge. Fundamentals of a gas discharge plasma include elementary, radiative and transport processes which are included in its kinetics influence. They are represented in this book together with the analysis of simple gas discharges. These general principles are applied to stationary gas discharge plasmas of helium and argon. The analysis of such plasmas under certain conditions is theoretically determined by numerical plasma parameters for given regimes and conditions.

Introduction to Plasmas and Plasma Dynamics: With Plasma Physics Applications to Space Propulsion, Magnetic Fusion and Space Physics, Second Edition provides an accessible introduction to the understanding of high temperature, ionized gases necessary to conduct research and develop applications related to plasmas. Thoroughly updated and expanded, this sec - Describes plasma applications with close reference to elementary processes, promoting a deeper understanding of plasmas in new fields - Provides structured problems in every chapter that help readers grasp the book's practical lessons - Includes a new chapter on numerical methods in plasmas that adds crucial context for experimental approaches

Complex plasmas differ from traditional plasmas in many ways: these are low-temperature high pressure systems containing nanometer to micrometer size particles which may be highly charged and strongly interacting. The particles may be chemically reacting or be in contact with solid surfaces, and the electrons may show quantum behaviour. These interesting properties have led to many applications of complex plasmas in technology, medicine and science. Yet complex plasmas are extremely complicated, both experimentally and theoretically, and require a variety of new approaches which go beyond standard plasma physics courses. This book fills this gap presenting an introduction to theory, experiment and computer simulation in this field. Based on tutorial lectures at a very successful recent Summer Institute, the presentation is ideally suited for graduate students, plasma physicists and experienced undergraduates.