In 2018, we offered a new course on fluid modeling of plasmas. The syllabus is posted below. The goal is to teach you how to develop simulation codes based on the fluid model. Just as with aerodynamics, we can treat plasmas as a collection of kinetic particles (PIC) or as a fluid (MHD). As you learned in PIC Fundamentals, the fluid approach is appropriate when we can assume the velocity distribution function to be Maxwellian. Such is the case when density is high. In those instances, the kinetic approach would be prohibitively computationally expensive, and in the end would recover the same results as a fluid solver. In the course we will focus on a single and multi-species MHD description, but will also learn about hybrid approaches for coupling fluid electrons with kinetic ions. We will also cover some advanced topics such as fluid particle approach and Vlasov solvers.
At the conclusion of this six lecture online course, you should understand how to derive the MHD equations and be able to develop your own MHD solver.
In this course we will try something new, and will hold the lessons bi-weekly to give you more time to complete assignments. This should also give me more to get course materials ready. The course consists of sessions conducted through Citrix® GoToMeeting. The lectures will take place Tuesdays (tentative) from 9:15 to 11:45am US Pacific Time (GMT-8 hours). Participation in the live lectures is not required but is highly recommended. All registered students will receive access to a student area where the course materials will be posted. These materials will include recordings of the lectures, copy of the lesson slides, as well as the example codes. The course will also include optional weekly homework assignments, which will need to be completed in order to receive a certificate of completion.
The instructor, Dr. Lubos Brieda, is the founder and president of Particle In Cell Consulting, LLC, a Los Angeles-based company specializing in providing tools and services for the plasma physics and rarefied gas communities. Dr. Brieda has over 10 years of experience developing PIC codes for a wide range of applications, including electric propulsion, space environment interactions, surface processing, and plasma medicine. His teaching experience includes the position of a Lecturer at the George Washington University.
Completion of the PIC Fundamentals course, or an existing understanding of the Particle In Cell (PIC) method, including particle motion, mesh interpolation, and field solving. In addition, all students are expected to have a basic understanding of numerical techniques, plasma and gas dynamics, and computer programming. The lectures and demonstration programs will utilize the C++ programming language. Students need to have access to a computer with a compiler of choice. The course will be conducted in English.