# Gyrokinetic full-f particle-in-cell simulations on open field lines with PICLS

## TL;DR

This paper introduces PICLS, a gyrokinetic full-f particle-in-cell code designed for edge plasma simulations, demonstrating its effectiveness in modeling edge-localized modes and comparing favorably with existing methods.

## Contribution

Development of PICLS, a new gyrokinetic full-f PIC code for edge plasma simulation, addressing challenges of steep gradients and large fluctuations in the SOL region.

## Key findings

- PICLS accurately models edge-localized modes in the SOL.
- Results agree well with previous gyrokinetic continuum and kinetic PIC simulations.
- Demonstrates viability of full-f PIC approach for edge plasma studies.

## Abstract

While in recent years, gyrokinetic simulations have become the workhorse for theoretical turbulence and transport studies in the plasma core, their application to the edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) region presents significant challenges. In particular, steep density and temperature gradients as well as large fluctuation amplitudes call for a "full-f" treatment. To specifically study problems in the SOL region, the gyrokinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code PICLS has been developed. The code is based on an electrostatic full-f model with linearised field equations and uses kinetic electrons. Here, the well-studied parallel transport problem during an edge-localized mode (ELM) in the SOL shall be investigated for one spatial dimension. The results are compared to previous gyrokinetic continuum and fully kinetic PIC simulations and show good agreement.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1908.00318