Unstructured 3D PIC simulations of the flow in a retarding potential analyzer

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpc.2004.06.051
• Publication Date: 2004-08-24T15:25:31Z
• Authors: Anton Spirkin; Nikolaos A. Gatsonis
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

A three-dimensional particle in cell (PIC) code is developed on unstructured tetrahedral grids. Zero-order (Nearest Grid Point) and linear (volume) particle charge weighting and force interpolation schemes are incorporated. A parametric investigation of the numerical heating in unstructured 3D PIC simulations is presented. The PIC methodology is applied to the simulation of the flow inside the segmented microchannel of a directional-Retarding Potential Analyzer. Simulations show the flow characteristics of the ions and electrons and provide estimates of the collected current by the microplate.