AbstractSeveral applications of PIC simulations for understanding basic physics phenomena in low‐temperature plasmas are presented: capacitive radiofrequency discharges in Oxygen, dusty plasmas and negative ion sources for heating of fusion plasmas. The analysis of these systems based on their microscopic properties as accessible with PIC gives improved insight into their complex behavior. These studies are results of joint efforts over about one decade of research groups from Greifswald University, Germany; Bari University, Italy; Keio University, Japan and Innsbruck University, Austria. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)