The Plasma Science and Innovation Center

PSI - Center

Organization

• The PSI-Center will have three focused physics implementation groups: the Boundary Conditions and Geometry Group; the Two-Fluid, MHD Transport, and Relaxation Group; and the FLR and Kinetic Effects Group, and a fourth Interfacing Group. The Center will also have a program coordinator. We will begin with the structure as follows:



• The Boundary Conditions and Geometry Group works on precise geometry, real boundary conditions, atomic physics, neutrals, and radiation. They work on the development of the MH4D code to accurately model the complex geometry of many IC experiments.
• The Two-Fluid, MHD Transport, and Relaxation Group works on two-fluid/Hall, relaxation/reconnection, and MHD transport. They develop capabilities for modeling 3D dynamics in plasmas that are either collisional or in transition to low-collisionality behavior. The planned tasks build upon the mature MHD algorithms and recent Hall-MHD algorithms in the NIMROD code to produce self-consistent two-fluid simulation models for the lower-temperature plasmas found in EC experiments.
• The FLR and Kinetic Effects Group works on kinetic and FLR effects and focus on adding the physics needed for modeling FRCs with 3D codes. Before it can be used to simulate FRC experiments, time-dependant boundary conditions will have to be implemented in NIMROD. These boundary conditions will include a vacuum field solver to accurately represent the external coils used in theta-pinch formation and RMF current drive experiments.
• The Interfacing Group works with the EC experiments, and the three Physics Groups. They lead the PSI-Center's interactions with the participating experimental groups. In coordination with the collaborating experiments, the best applicable code and equations to be solved will be selected. The proper boundary conditions and geometry will be implemented to start the first runs. Methods of data exchange and communication will also be integrated during site visits. A Summer Study for EC experimenters will be held each summer. Graphical, user-friendly code interfaces will be developed, and continually refined for data presentation and analysis packages. The Interfacing Group will perform EC experiment outreach and information dissemination through the PSI-Center web site, and presentations at outside meetings and workshops.
• In addition to assisting all the groups with administrative tasks, the program coordinator will make an inventory of all plasma diagnostics within OFES. The Center will assist EC experimentalists in locating and borrowing diagnostics for making measurements needed in calibrating and/or testing the Center's codes.

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