MCPlas, a MATLAB toolbox for reproducible plasma modelling with COMSOL

TL;DR

MCPlas is a MATLAB toolbox that automates the creation of plasma models in COMSOL, emphasizing reproducibility, transparency, and advanced electron transport descriptions, validated on low-pressure glow discharges.

Contribution

It introduces a structured, JSON-based workflow for plasma modeling in COMSOL with editable MATLAB code and improved electron transport modeling capabilities.

Findings

MCPlas results agree with COMSOL's Plasma Module, confirming reliability.

The toolbox enhances handling of complex reaction kinetics.

JSON input data are reusable across different platforms.

Abstract

The MCPlas toolbox represents a collection of MATLAB functions for the automated generation of an equation-based fluid-Poisson model for non-thermal plasmas in the multiphysics simulation software COMSOL. Following the development of the new generation of the LXCat platform, all input data are prepared in a structured and interoperable JSON format and can be supplied and validated using existing JSON schemas. The toolbox includes fully transparent, editable MATLAB source code and offers an advanced description of electron transport in addition to commonly used approaches in the plasma modelling community. It supports one-dimensional and two-dimensional modelling geometries employing Cartesian, polar and cylindrical coordinate systems. MCPlas is tested on two reference cases: DC- and RF-driven low-pressure glow discharges in argon. Comparison of MCPlas results with results obtained by employing COMSOL's Plasma Module verifies the reliability of the plasma model implemented by MCPlas and demonstrates the significance of electron transport treatment and boundary conditions applied in the toolbox. Using the same examples, the easy handling of complex reaction kinetic models in MCPlas and the reusability of its JSON input data across different modelling platforms are illustrated. This demonstrates that MCPlas provides a transparent and reproducible workflow for the simulation of non-thermal plasmas using COMSOL.