Computer simulation of space charge
Kunhua Yu, W. K. Chung, S. S. Mak · American Journal of Physics · 1991
Using the particle–mesh (PM) method, a one-dimensional simulation of the well-known Langmuir–Child’s law is performed on an INTEL 80386-based personal computer system. The program is coded in turbo basic (trademark of Borland International, Inc.). The numerical results obtained were in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions and the computational time required is quite modest. This simulation exercise demonstrates that some simple computer simulation using particles may be implemented successfully on PC’s that are available today, and hopefully this will provide the necessary incentives for newcomers to the field who wish to acquire a flavor of the elementary aspects of the practice.