Accurate numerical solution of charged particle motion in a magnetic field (Q1346549)

The authors compare the implicit Boris algorithm with \(-\mu \nabla B\) correction, where \(B\) is the magnitude of the magnetic field \(\vec B\), \(\mu\) is the magnetic moment (method III) with alternative algorithms (leapfrog Boris algorithm -- method I and implicit Boris algorithm -- method II) for the particle equations of motion that results in the correct drift motion whenever the drift equations are valid, even for very large values of the time step. The method III combines an implicit Euler scheme with an additional term that gives the correct drifts and the correct size of the particle orbit (gyroradius) for all values of the time step. A comparison of drift speed and of numerical gyroradius for method I-III in case of motion that is perpendicular to the magnetic field is considered. Method III yields the correct gyroradius and correct drift speeds for arbitrarily large time steps.