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| Paper: |
The Athena Astrophysical MHD Code in Cylindrical Geometry |
| Volume: |
444, 5th International Conference of Numerical Modeling of Space Plasma Flows (ASTRONUM 2010) |
| Page: |
260 |
| Authors: |
Skinner, M. A.; Ostriker, E. C. |
| Abstract: |
We have developed a method for implementing cylindrical coordinates in the Athena MHD code (Skinner & Ostriker 2010). The extension has been designed to alter the existing Cartesian-coordinates
code (Stone et al. 2008) as minimally and transparently as possible. The numerical equations in
cylindrical coordinates are formulated to maintain consistency with constrained transport, a
central feature of the Athena algorithm, while making use of previously implemented code
modules such as the eigensystems and Riemann solvers. Angular-momentum transport, which is
critical in astrophysical disk systems dominated by rotation, is treated carefully. We describe
modifications for cylindrical coordinates of the higher-order spatial reconstruction and characteristic
evolution steps as well as the finite-volume and constrained transport updates. Finally, we have
developed a test suite of standard and novel problems in one-, two-, and three-dimensions designed
to validate our algorithms and implementation and to be of use to other code developers. The code
is suitable for use in a wide variety of astrophysical applications and is freely available for
download on the web. |
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