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- Chu, M.S., et al.
(author)
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Physics of Plasmas Modeling of Feedback and Rotation Stabilization of the Resistive Wall Mode in Tokamaks
- 2004
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In: Physics of Plasmas. ; 11, s. 2497-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Steady-state operation of the advanced tokamak reactor relies on maintaining plasma stability with respect to the resistive wall mode ~RWM!. Active magnetic feedback and plasma rotation are the two methods proposed and demonstrated for this purpose. A comprehensive modeling effort including both magnetic feedback and plasma rotation is needed for understanding the physical mechanisms of the stabilization and to project to future devices. For plasma with low rotation, a complete solution for the feedback issue is obtained by assuming the plasma obeys ideal magnetohydrodynamics ~MHDs! and utilizing a normal mode approach ~NMA! @M. S. Chu et al., Nucl. Fusion 43, 441 ~2003!#. It is found that poloidal sensors are more effective than radial sensors and coils inside of the vacuum vessel more effective than outside. For plasmas with non-negligible rotation, a comprehensive linear nonideal MHD code, the MARS-F has been found to be suitable. MARS-F @Y. Q. Liu et al., Phys. Plasmas 7, 3681 ~2000!# has been benchmarked in the ideal MHD limit against the NMA. The effect of rotation stabilization of the plasma depends on the plasma dissipation model. Broad qualitative features of the experiment are reproduced. Rotation reduces the feedback gain required for RWM stabilization. Reduction is significant when rotation is near the critical rotation speed needed for stabilization. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ~ITER! @R. Aymar et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 44, 519 ~2002!# ~scenario IV for advanced tokamak operation! may be feedback stabilized with babove the no wall limit and up to an increment of ;50% towards the ideal limit. Rotation further improves the stability.
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2. |
- Fenstermacher, M.E., et al.
(author)
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DIII-D research advancing the physics basis for optimizing the tokamak approach to fusion energy
- 2022
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 62:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- DIII-D physics research addresses critical challenges for the operation of ITER and the next generation of fusion energy devices. This is done through a focus on innovations to provide solutions for high performance long pulse operation, coupled with fundamental plasma physics understanding and model validation, to drive scenario development by integrating high performance core and boundary plasmas. Substantial increases in off-axis current drive efficiency from an innovative top launch system for EC power, and in pressure broadening for Alfven eigenmode control from a co-/counter-I p steerable off-axis neutral beam, all improve the prospects for optimization of future long pulse/steady state high performance tokamak operation. Fundamental studies into the modes that drive the evolution of the pedestal pressure profile and electron vs ion heat flux validate predictive models of pedestal recovery after ELMs. Understanding the physics mechanisms of ELM control and density pumpout by 3D magnetic perturbation fields leads to confident predictions for ITER and future devices. Validated modeling of high-Z shattered pellet injection for disruption mitigation, runaway electron dissipation, and techniques for disruption prediction and avoidance including machine learning, give confidence in handling disruptivity for future devices. For the non-nuclear phase of ITER, two actuators are identified to lower the L-H threshold power in hydrogen plasmas. With this physics understanding and suite of capabilities, a high poloidal beta optimized-core scenario with an internal transport barrier that projects nearly to Q = 10 in ITER at ∼8 MA was coupled to a detached divertor, and a near super H-mode optimized-pedestal scenario with co-I p beam injection was coupled to a radiative divertor. The hybrid core scenario was achieved directly, without the need for anomalous current diffusion, using off-axis current drive actuators. Also, a controller to assess proximity to stability limits and regulate β N in the ITER baseline scenario, based on plasma response to probing 3D fields, was demonstrated. Finally, innovative tokamak operation using a negative triangularity shape showed many attractive features for future pilot plant operation.
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3. |
- Okabayashi, M., et al.
(author)
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Control of the resistive wall mode with internal coils in the DIII-D tokamak
- 2005
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 45:12, s. 1715-1731
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Internal coils, 'I-Coils', were installed inside the vacuum vessel of the DIII-D device to generate non-axisymmetric magnetic fields to act directly on the plasma. These fields are predicted to stabilize the resistive wall mode (RWM) branch of the long-wavelength external kink mode with plasma beta close to the ideal wall limit. Feedback using these I-Coils was found to be more effective as compared to using external coils located outside the vacuum vessel. Locating the coils inside the vessel allows for a faster response and the coil geometry also allows for better coupling to the helical mode structure. Initial results were reported previously (Strait E.J. et al 2004 Phys. Plasmas 11 2505). This paper reports on results from extended feedback stabilization operations, achieving plasma parameters up to the regime of Cβ ≈ 1.0 and open loop growth rates of γopenτw ≳ 25 where the RWM was predicted to be unstable with only the 'rotational viscous stabilization mechanism'. Here Cβ ≈ (β - βno-wall.limit)/(βideal.wall.limit - βno-wall.limit) is a measure of the beta relative to the stability limits without a wall and with a perfectly conducting wall, and τw is the resistive flux penetration time of the wall. These feedback experimental results clarified the processes of dynamic error field correction and direct RWM stabilization, both of which took place simultaneously during RWM feedback stabilization operation. MARS-F modelling provides a critical rotation velocity in reasonable agreement with the experiment and predicts that the growth rate increases rapidly as rotation decreases below the critical. The MARS-F code also predicted that for successful RWM magnetic feedback, the characteristic time of the power supply should be limited to a fraction of the growth time of the targeted RWM. The possibility of further improvements in the presently achievable range of operation of feedback gain values is also discussed.
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