Technical Report: Simulation Of Plasma Materials In XFdtd

Plasmas, composed of charged particles, ions, and electrons, are among the most prevalent states of matter in the universe. Commonly found in stars and interstellar clouds, plasmas can also be artificially generated by heating or applying a strong electromagnetic field to a neutral gas. This process ionizes the gas, creating a medium of positively charged ions and free electrons, capable of conducting electricity.

In recent years, there has been significant interest in understanding the plasmas formed by hypersonic vehicles as they travel through the atmosphere. The resulting plasma trails can disrupt electromagnetic signals, posing challenges for radar detection, communication, and guidance systems. This white paper explores the use of the finite-difference, time-domain (FDTD) method to simulate plasma behaviors, incorporating advancements made by researchers such as Luebbers et al. and leveraging Remcom’s XFdtd® 3D Electromagnetic Simulation software. By examining frequency-dependent models and validating these methods in both one- and three-dimensional contexts, this report aims to enhance our understanding and management of plasma-related phenomena in aerospace applications.