Strongly Coupled Plasma Dynamics Using the Particle-in-Cell Methodology

Three-dimensional simulations of moderately to strongly coupled electron-ion and multi-component plasmas using the particle-in- cell method are presented. The simulations resolve sub-Debye- length inter-particle spacing to accurately model the dynamics of these systems. We consider realistic mass ratios and quasi- equilibrium conditions with different component temperatures which are relevant on short time scales. The simulation results are in very good agreement with classical hypernetted chain calculations for dense electron-ion and ion-ion plasmas [1]. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and utility of large- scale particle-in-cell simulations for the modeling and analysis of multi-component moderately and strongly coupled plasmas. Application of the simulation model to conductivity [2] and mass-stopping power of energetic ions in strongly coupled plasmas is discussed. \\[4pt] [1] V. Schwarz, et al., Contrib. Plasma Phys. 47, 324 (2007). \\[0pt] [2] W. A. Stygar, G. A. Gerdin, and D. L. Fehl, Phys. Rev. E 66, 046417 (2002).