Particle simulation of rf heating and current drive

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review particle stimulation models and how they have been applied to study rf heating and current drive. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part will review the mathematical framework. The purpose is, first, to introduce the non-specialist to this kind of model. Secondly, I wish to point out the numerical problems, how to avoid them, and what constraints the avoidance puts on these kinds of models. In the second part of this paper, I will review how particle simulations have been applied to rf heating and current drive, in order to illustrate when such models might be appropriate to use.