$\pi$-PIC: a framework for modular particle-in-cell developments and simulations
Abstract
Recently proposed modifications of the standard particle-in-cell (PIC) method resolve long-standing limitations such as exact preservation of physically conserved quantities and unbiased ensemble down-sampling. Such advances pave the way for next-generation PIC codes capable of using lower resolution and fewer particles per cell, enabling interactive studies on personal computers and facilitating large-scale parameter scans on supercomputers. Here, we present a Python-controlled framework which promotes the dissemination and adoption of novel PIC developments by providing a unified interface for accommodation, cross-testing, and comparison of PIC solvers and extensions written in Python or low-level languages like C++. To demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed interface, we present and test implementations of several PIC solvers, as well as extensions that are capable of managing absorbing boundaries, moving-window simulations, and tight focusing of laser pulses.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2511.09950,
title = {$\pi$-PIC: a framework for modular particle-in-cell developments and simulations},
author = {Frida Brogren and Christoffer Olofsson and Joel Magnusson and Arkady Gonoskov},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2511.09950},
year = {2026}
}