PIC Simulation Methods for Cosmic Radiation and Plasma Instabilities

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent particle-in-cell simulation results that explore kinetic phenomena, plasma instabilities, and particle acceleration mechanisms in astrophysical collisionless plasmas.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of PIC simulation methods and recent findings in cosmic radiation and plasma instabilities in astrophysics.

Findings

Insights into particle acceleration mechanisms

Understanding of plasma instabilities in astrophysical contexts

Advances in kinetic simulation techniques

Abstract

Particle acceleration in collisionless plasma systems is a central question in astroplasma and astroparticle physics. The structure of the acceleration regions, electron-ion energy equilibration, preacceleration of particles at shocks to permit further energization by diffusive shock acceleration, require knowledge of the distribution function of particles besides the structure and dynamic of electromagnetic fields, and hence a kinetic description is desirable. Particle-in-cell simulations offer an appropriate, if computationally expensive method of essentially conducting numerical experiments that explore kinetic phenomena in collisionless plasma. We review recent results of PIC simulations of astrophysical plasma systems, particle acceleration, and the instabilities that shape them.