Integration of kinetic ions in a three-dimensional Monte-Carlo neutral transport code

Abstract

Charged particles of species different from the major constituents of a plasma might not reach local thermodynamic equilibrium during their lifespan. Such low collisional ions render the often-used fluid description, assuming Maxwellian velocity distribution, as insufficient. Hence, kinetic treatment of such minorities becomes inevitable. The three-dimensional kinetic neutral particle Monte-Carlo code EIRENE [D. Reiter et al., Fusion Science and Technology, 47 (2), 172 (2005)] possesses a model for ion transport reduced in physics, consisting of field-line tracing and energy relaxation of particles. The trajectory integration is now extended to account for first-order particle drifts, anomalous cross-field diffusion denoting for turbulence effects, and the consideration of the magnetic mirror force. The technical implementation, as well as the verification of the enhanced kinetic ion transport is being reported.