Reduced Vlasov simulations in higher dimensions Original Research Article

Kinetic plasma simulations based on direct integration of the Vlasov equations are characterized by very low noise, but become numerically intensive in more than one spatial dimension. A set of less costly numerical strategies are presented in which a full Vlasov kinetic description is maintained only along one “dominant” spatial coordinate, with the perpendicular dimensions modeled by reduced moment-based methods. A simple initial-value simulation is use to test the algorithm and simulations of current-driven double layers and electron holes in the auroral ionosphere are used to illustrate the application of such methods to current research studies.