Parallelization of semi-Lagrangian Vlasov codes

We describe the parallel implementation of semi-Lagrangian Vlasov solvers, which are an alternative to particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations for the nume rical investigation of the behaviour of charged particles in their self-con sistent electromagnetic fields. The semi-Lagrangian method, which couples t he Lagrangian and Eulerian points of view is particularly interesting on pa rallel computers, since the solution is computed on grid points, the number of which remains constant in time on each processor. unlike the number of particles in PIC simulations, and thus great ly simplifies the parallelizat ion process.