Methods of Modeling Plasma Electrodynamics and Applications

Prof. Nagendra Singh

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville

March 8, 2002

Abstract

Plasma is an ionized gas. Its applications range from plasma processing of micron size electronic devices to understanding solar flares and transport of mass, momentum and energy in near- and far-Earth space. Plasma as a medium is complex and nonlinear even for moderate levels of electromagnetic fields. Therefore, simulations and modeling have played a central role in understanding the complex behavior of plasma. We will review the modeling methods, especially the one we are using in our research. We will also present applications of these models. They range from applied problems involving plasma-satellite interactions to nonlinear wave interactions and accelerations of charged particle in near-Earth space.