Unstructured 3D PIC simulations of the flow in a retarding potential analyzer Original Research Article

A three-dimensional particle in cell (PIC) code is developed on unstructured tetrahedral grids. Zero-order (Nearest Grid Point) and linear (volume) particle charge weighting and force interpolation schemes are incorporated. A parametric investigation of the numerical heating in unstructured 3D PIC simulations is presented. The PIC methodology is applied to the simulation of the flow inside the segmented microchannel of a directional-Retarding Potential Analyzer. Simulations show the flow characteristics of the ions and electrons and provide estimates of the collected current by the microplate.