Advanced numerical techniques for time integration of relativistic equations of motion for charged particles

Abstract Advanced numerical techniques for solving the relativistic equations of motion for charged particles are provided. A new fourth-order integrator is developed by combining the Taylor series expansion of the numerical angle of relativistic gyration and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method for integrating the Lorentz factor. The new integrator gives the exact relativistic E-cross-B drift velocity, but has a numerical accuracy much higher than the classic fourth-order Runge–Kutta integrator. Graphical Abstract