How to use Magboltz 11.11 from Python 3

[micrenda]

If you ever wondered if Magboltz can be used from Python, the answer is yes, and it is easier that you could think.

1. Download Magboltz from its homepage
2. Apply this patch to Magboltz (it was created for version 11.11, but it should work for newer versions too)

   Code: Select all

   patch magboltz-11.11.f.test < magboltz.patch
   

   magboltz.patch

   (1.67 KiB) Downloaded 202 times

3. Install numpy and gfortran

   Code: Select all

   sudo aptitude purge gfortran python3-numpy
   

4. Create the f2py bindings

   Code: Select all

   f2py3 -c -m magboltz magboltz-11.11.f
   

5. And enjoy...

   Code: Select all

   #!/usr/bin/env python3
   import magboltz
   
   # First card
   magboltz.inpt.ngas   = 2    # Number of gases in the mixture
   magboltz.setp.nmax   = 3    # Number of real collisions [10^7] 
   magboltz.inpt.ipen   = 0    # Penning effects
   magboltz.thrm.ithrm  = 1    # Enable gas temperature
   magboltz.inpt.efinal = 0.0  # Upper limit of the electron energy [eV] 
   
   # Second card
   magboltz.gasn.ngasn  = [ 2, 12, 0, 0, 0, 0 ] # Gas codes  (Ar:CO2)
   
   # Third card
   magboltz.ratio.frac  = [ 93.0, 7.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 ]    # Gas fractions
   magboltz.inpt.tempc  = 25.  # Gas temperature [C]
   magboltz.inpt.torr   = 760. # Gas pressure [Torr]
   
   # Forth card
   
   magboltz.setp.efield = 600. # Electric field [V/cm]
   magboltz.bfld.bmag   =   1. # Magnetic field [kG]
   magboltz.bfld.btheta =   0. # Angle between the electric and magnetic field [deg]
   
   # Running Magboltz
   magboltz.run()
   
   # Printing results
   print('=' * 50)
   print("Velocity")
   print("  X: {} cm/s (err: {} %)".format(magboltz.vel.wx, magboltz.velerr.dwx))
   print("  Y: {} cm/s (err: {} %)".format(magboltz.vel.wy, magboltz.velerr.dwy))
   print("  Z: {} cm/s (err: {} %)".format(magboltz.vel.wz, magboltz.velerr.dwz))