VisualStart; GUI-aided unified initialization tool of hybrid (MHD + particle) simulations

VisualStart; ハイブリッド(MHD+粒子)シミュレーション初期化のためGUI援用統一ツール

Bierwage, A.

Bierwage, A.

VisualStart is a unified initialization tool for hybrid (MHD+particle) codes. Its input consists of model parameters, numerical parameters, data computed by equilibrium solvers and orbit-following Monte-Carlo codes, and experimentally measured plasma profiles. It produces a complete snapshot of the plasma to be used by high-performance initial-value solvers as an initial condition. Presently, it is used to initialize two global nonlinear hybrid codes, HMGC and MEGA. VisualStart is implemented in an interpreted language (Matlab) and equipped with an interactive graphical user interface (GUI), which provides the control and visual information needed to complete the design of a kinetic equilibrium. Being an easy-to-use, unified tool that initializes different codes with the same initial condition using state-of-the-art computational techniques, VisualStart has the potential to enhance the accuracy and versatility of plasma simulation codes, and aid verification and validation efforts.