Dynamic and selective control of the number of particles in kinetic plasma simulations (Q1339534)

An algorithm for the dynamic control of the number of particles in a particle-in-cell plasma simulation is presented. The algorithm selectively splits and coalesces particles to control the number of particles in each grid cell. The algorithm preserves the charge assignment at grid points while splitting one particle into two, ore while coalescing two particles into one. Errors in momentum or energy conservation are controlled by a simple, \textit{a priori} test. The accuracy of the algorithm is demonstrated in several simulations in one dimension, including a collisionless slow-shock.