Three dimensional nonlinear MHD calculations using implicit and explicit time integration schemes (Q1086103)

The authors introduce two schemes for the time integration of the nonlinear three-dimensional MHD equations which include diamagnetic and thermal force effects. They call them mostly-explicit (m.e.) and mostly- implicit (m.i.) scheme, respectively. The m.e. is second order accurate in time and explicit for convective and perpendicular diffusive terms, while the m.i. is first order accurate in time and implicit for linear but explicit for nonlinear terms. Both use Fourier representation in angular variables and finite difference in radial coordinate. The comparison of the schemes shows that the relative efficiency depends on the problem studied and on the relative dominance of nonlinear terms. So e.g. for nonlinear interaction of tearing modes the m.e., while for the nonlinear evolution of rippling modes the m.i. is more efficient. As the convergence studies show, the different attitude of the schemes is due to the basic difference in the dynamics of the problem and not to the numerical implementation.