Introduction

This manual consists of four sections:

• In the overview part some general features, the equations, and the main numerical algorithms are introduced for the three modes full-particle, hybrid, and two-fluid.
• The source code is discussed in detail, showing the purpose of the different source files and subroutines and discussing various switches and parameters. Separate sections deal with the full-particle, the hybrid, and the twofluid versions. The intention is to make the source code more readable but to get information on the most detailed level still the source files have to be inspected. A further section is dedicated to post processors which are used to evaluate dump files after termination of the code.
• Operation of the code is almost completely controlled with parameter files. The parameters available in the different modes are listed and explained (including links to the source code), and examples files are shown. The section on the parameters is also split into three parts for the different versions of the code, full-particle, hybrid, and twofluid.
• The last section discusses the operation of the code. An overview is given which discusses the different roles of initialization routines, the main code, and the post processors that are used for data analysis. How to set up the directory structure and to compile and run a first example is shown in section getting started. Simulation can be performed fully automatically including set-up of directories, generation of start-up data, and compilation of the code with the shell script execp3d which is discussed in some detail.