Comparison of time splitting and backsubstitution methods for integrating Vlasov's equation with magnetic fields

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpc.2006.02.007
• Publication Date: 2006-04-18T15:18:47Z
• Authors: H. Schmitz; R. Grauer
• Keywords: Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph); 0103 physical sciences; FOS: Physical sciences; Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph); Physics - Computational Physics; 01 natural sciences; Physics - Plasma Physics

The standard approach for integrating the multidimensional Vlasov equation using grid based, conservative schemes is based on a time splitting approach. Here, we show that although the truncation error is of second order, time splitting can introduce systematic heating of the plasma. We introduce a backsubstitution method, which not only avoids this deficiency but also is computationally less expensive. The general approach is demonstrated in conjunction with Boris' scheme for evaluating the characteristics.<br/>to appear in Comp. Phys. Comm<br/>