Hybrid simulation of ion beams in background plasma (Q1090576)

A hybrid code is presented for the study of an axisymmetrical ion beam interaction with a background plasma. Ions are considered as particles and electrons as an inertialess thermal fluid which obeys a generalized Ohm law. The code may be applied to the case of low frequency phenomena when the displacement current is negligible in Maxwell's equation and the quasi-neutral approximation is proved. It has been extensively tested and applied to the problem of propagation of energetic ion beams trough preformed z-pinch plasma channels, a scenario of interest for inertial confinment fusion devices.