Setting Conductivity Parameters

Generally, a Spitzer conductivity model is used to compute thermal conductivities for high energy density plasmas. However, for simulations involving solids, users may wish to enter conductivity values which are specifically applicable to certain solid materials.

HELIOS supports the following conductivity models:

• Spitzer
• Constant
• Spitzer / Constant Hybrid
• A SESAME-formatted thermal conductivity table.

Models are specified on a region-by-region basis.

When the Constant conductivity model is selected, the conductivity for that spatial region is set to the value entered by the user.

When a Hybrid conductivity model is selected, parameters are entered into the dialog box shown below:

For the Spitzer / Constant Solid hybrid model, Spitzer conductivities are used in all temperature-density space except that representative of a solid. Users define the temperature and density bounding the solid phase. Specifically, at densities above some minimum density, ρ(min), and at temperatures below some maximum temperature, T(max), the conductivity is set to the solid conductivity value specified by the user.

If a SESAME-formatted thermal conductivity table is used, either enter the file path or browse for the file by clicking on the Browse... button.

To apply a multiplier to any of the above thermal conductivity models, select the Advanced button and enter the desired value.

A flux limiter or multiplier for the electron-ion coupling may also be applied. These settings are also in the Advanced section:

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