Plasma Simulation Code Encompassing Single-Fluid through Two-Fluid Models

Modeling and simulation play a critical role in the design and evaluation of high power microwave (HPM) devices. However, many of the most recent simulation methods have yet to be adopted by Navy scientists in their design process, in part because these methods need additional improvements and need to be shown to work on problems of interest to the Navy. Improvements to Magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) and Particle-In-Cell (PIC) modeling capabilities, and the development of two-fluid electromagnetic models that bridge the gap between MHD and kinetic PIC models, show promise for improved modeling of HPM sources. However these new models require further improvement to solve the range of problems involved in HPM design. This project focusses on the development of improved MHD, PIC, and two-fluid electromagnetic models and simulation capabilities in order to improve the Navy's ability to design, fabricate, and test high power microwave devices critical to their ongoing mission.