Numerical modeling of thermal force in a plasma for test-ion transport simulation based on Monte Carlo binary collision model (Q417853)

A new model of the thermal force in a plasma is presented based on the Monte Carlo binary collision model (BCM) [\textit{T. Takizuka} and \textit{H. Abe}, J. Comput. Phys. 25, 205--219 (1977; Zbl 0403.76091)]. This model can be applied for the transport simulation of test ions. The model consists of two steps: (i) choosing a background plasma ion velocity from a distorted Maxwell distribution expressed using the 13-moment expansion which includes a correction term due to the background temperature gradient [\textit{V. E. Golant, A. P. Zhilinsky} and \textit{I. E. Sakharov}, Fundamentals of plasma physics. New York and Chichester: Wiley and Sons (1977)]; and (ii) calculating a Coulomb collision between a test particle and the above chosen ion by using the BCM. For step (i), a velocity sampling method from a distorted Maxwellian is developed, which enables the BCM to bring the thermal force on a test particle in step (ii). The new model is developed for the thermal force in a plasma without magnetic field. To examine the model, a systematic series of simulations has been performed under various conditions considering temperature gradients and initial velocities of test particles. The simulation parameters are typical for a divertor plasma in a present tokamak, and the transport of a Tungsten impurity supposed is one of the important topics of fusion research. The time rate of change of the test particle average velocity has been compared with its theoretical value calculated from the formulae of collisional forces including the thermal force. It is shown that the new model simulates the thermal force correctly regarding dependences on the temperature gradient, the test particle velocity, and the background plasma density.