SLIC (simple line interface calculation). [Usable in 1, 2, or 3 space dimensions]

SLIC is an alternating-direction method for the geometric approximation of fluid interfaces. It may be used in one, two, or three space dimensions, and it is characterized by the following features: Fluid surfaces are represented locally for each mixed-fluid zone, and these surfaces are defined as a composition of one-space-dimensional components, one for each coordinate direction. These one-dimensional components are composed entirely of straight lines, either perpendicular to or parallel to that coordinate direction. The one-dimensional surface approximations for a mixed fluid cell are completely determined by testing whether or not the various fluids in the mixed cell are present or absent in the zone just to the left and to the right in the coordinate direction under consideration. Because of the completely one-dimensional nature of the SLIC interface description, it is relatively easy to advance the fluid surfaces correctly in time. With the SLIC fluid-surface definitions, it should be possible to incorporate any one-space-dimensional method for advancing contact discontinuities. This makes SLIC very practical for the numerical solution of fluid dynamical problems.