3D implicit PIC simulations of solar wind-body interactions

We present three-dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulations of an unmagnetized body immersed in the solar wind. The simulations are performed using the implicit electromagnetic Particle-in-Cell code iPIC3D [Markidis, 2009]. Multiscale kinetic physics is resolved for all plasma components (heavy ions, protons and electrons) in the code, recently updated with a set of open boundary conditions designed for solar wind - body interaction studies. Particles are injected at the inflow side of the computational domain and absorbed at all others. In particular, iPIC3D is applied to: 1) a spacecraft charging study and 2) a detailed investigation of wake physics behind a Moon-sized body.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Source Ninth European Space Weather Week (ESWW)
Author Deca, Jan, Divin, A., Amaya, J., Markidis, S., Lapenta, G., Lembège, Bertrand
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 15, 2026, 04:20 (UTC)
Created May 15, 2026, 04:20 (UTC)
Identifier hal-00778101
Language en
contributor Centre for Plasma Astrophysics [Leuven] ; Catholic University of Leuven = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)
coverage Bruxelles, Belgium
creator Deca, Jan
date 2012-11-05T00:00:00
harvest_object_id a3b52041-7d3c-416e-ac75-b8bbe6bba123
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2026-05-12T00:00:00
set_spec type:POSTER