stella: An Operator-Split, Implicit–Explicit δf-Gyrokinetic Code for General Magnetic Field Configurations

Here we present details of an operator-split, implicit–explicit numerical scheme for the solution of the gyrokinetic-Poisson system of equations in the local limit. This scheme has been implemented in a new code called stella, which is capable of evolving electrostatic fluctuations with full kinetic electron effects and an arbitrary number of ion species in general magnetic geometry. We demonstrate the advantages of this mixed approach over a fully explicit treatment and provide linear and nonlinear benchmark comparisons for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric magnetic equilibria.