Are CFD codes like OpenFOAM used in other realms of physics?

[EternalSeekerX]

Hey guys and gals,

In my 4th year I got interested in cfd while doing a flat plate case. Fast forward to after grad and while I am looking for a job(Still looking :( ) I have been playing with Linux and open foam. I looked into astrophysics and plasma physics and such as they interest me to. So many visualization of these simulation video has the word cfd in them. So is openfoam codes used in these realms of physics (from HE physics to astrophysics and maybe quantum)? I have seen fluent used to model particle tracking with quantum fluid transport phenomenon, there was this plasmaFoam paper which had a solver for low temperature plasma physics, and there some codes (behind a pay wall for the report) that deal with astrophysics as well. So I'm quite curious? If so that be something interesting to get into!

Edit: This seemed like a general physics question so I posted it here, if there is a more appropriate subforum let me know, I will delete this and make one there!

 

[AndyW]

Hi there,

It's great to hear that you've been exploring CFD and its applications in different fields of physics. To answer your question, yes, OpenFOAM is used in many areas of physics, including astrophysics and plasma physics.

In astrophysics, CFD simulations using OpenFOAM have been used to study the formation and evolution of galaxies, as well as the dynamics of accretion disks around black holes. The code has also been used in simulations of stellar interiors and supernovae explosions.

In plasma physics, OpenFOAM has been used to model the behavior of plasma in fusion reactors, as well as the flow of plasma in space. The plasmaFoam solver you mentioned is specifically designed for low temperature plasma simulations.

In addition to these areas, OpenFOAM has also been used in high energy physics, particularly in simulations of particle interactions and accelerators.

Overall, OpenFOAM is a versatile CFD code that can be applied to a wide range of physics problems. It's great that you're interested in exploring its applications in different fields. Best of luck in your job search, and keep exploring the exciting world of CFD!