Blob method for kinetic plasma simulation with variable-size particles (Q1815953)

An approach to particle-in-cell-simulation is presented for collisionless plasmas. The method is based on computational particles of variable size (blobs). Each blob represents an element of phase space, and its shape and size are evolved in time to represent better the correct evolution. The performance of the blob method is analyzed in the case of the Landau damping and in the formation of a sheath in a bounded plasma.