PSEM Group software
Models, solvers, and learning tools for planetary plasma physics. This page brings together the research codes we develop and use, alongside compact teaching versions that make the numerical ideas easier to explore.
Research code
PublishedHigh-order MHD on orthogonal curvilinear grids
A modular three-dimensional finite-volume solver for planetary, space, and astrophysical plasma simulations. Its geometry-aware formulation supports accurate and conservative calculations on Cartesian, cylindrical, spherical, and other orthogonal grids.
Research code
In developmentGlobal plasma modeling on a Yin–Yang grid
A GAMERA framework for global spherical simulations using overlapping grid patches, designed for efficient treatment of planetary systems without a polar coordinate singularity.
Project notes, publications, and access information will be added as the code develops.
Research code
Core frameworkMHD on non-orthogonal curvilinear grids
The original high-order finite-volume framework for three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics on distorted grids, built for accurate large-scale space and astrophysical plasma simulations.
Teaching code
Planned releaseSmall models for learning by experimenting
Compact, readable examples for teaching numerical modeling, data analysis, MHD, and plasma dynamics. Future downloads will connect directly to course notes and guided exercises.
Featured technical overview
High-order finite-volume reconstruction on Cartesian, cylindrical, spherical, and other orthogonal curvilinear grids.
Constrained transport preserves the solenoidal magnetic-field condition to machine precision.
Angular momentum is conserved to round-off in cylindrical and spherical coordinates, supporting rapidly rotating planetary systems.
Options include ring averaging near the axis, semi-relativistic correction, background-field splitting, and anisotropic MHD.
The solver combines geometry-consistent high-order reconstruction with flexible numerical fluxes and time integrators. Its modular architecture is designed to simplify case setup, the addition of new physics, and coupling to other first-principles models.
Reference
H. Luo, B. Zhang, J. Tian, J. Cai, J. Chen, E. Feng, Z. Zheng, S. Xi, and J. G. Lyon (2026), “GAMERA-OP: A Three-dimensional Finite-volume Magnetohydrodynamic Solver for Orthogonal Curvilinear Geometries,” The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 285(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4365/ae7344