Particle simulation of plasmas

For plasma with a large number of degrees of freedom, particle simulation using high-speed computers can offer insights and information that supplement those gained by traditional experimental and theoretical approaches. The technique follows the motion of a large assembly of charged particles in their self-consistent electric and magnetic fields. With proper diagnostics, these numerical experiments reveal such details as distribution functions, linear and nonlinear behavior, stochastic and transport phenomena, and approach to steady state. Such information can both guide and verify theoretical modeling of the physical processes underlying complex phenomena. It can also be used in the interpretation of experiments.