The numerical methods are well documented in the Phys. Barnes is willing to support reviving this kinetic stability method as a consultant or, if support is available, as a collaborator. The MHD equations are advanced on a finite difference mesh in a cylindrical coordinate system, while particle pushing is done on a 3D Cartesian grid. In contrast to the previous work, the delta-f method is utilized to reduce numerical noise in the particle part of the simulation. It was found that rigid rotation reduces the growth rate, but does not stabilize the mode even for rotation rates equal to the Alfven time.
Sheared rotation is found to be destabilizing for the two velocity profiles considered.
Plans are to study the stability as a function of profiles, shape, and s as the energetic ion fraction increases, and for a fully kinetic ion description. Bulk rotation could also be added to the kinetic ion description. This code uses full orbit particles, and fluid electrons. Methods for finding an initial equilibrium were developed. The present runs utilized 700,000 particles on a 100 x 60 x 1 mode grid.