1. |
- Joffrin, E., et al.
(author)
-
Overview of the JET preparation for deuterium-tritium operation with the ITER like-wall
- 2019
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 59:11
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For the past several years, the JET scientific programme (Pamela et al 2007 Fusion Eng. Des. 82 590) has been engaged in a multi-campaign effort, including experiments in D, H and T, leading up to 2020 and the first experiments with 50%/50% D-T mixtures since 1997 and the first ever D-T plasmas with the ITER mix of plasma-facing component materials. For this purpose, a concerted physics and technology programme was launched with a view to prepare the D-T campaign (DTE2). This paper addresses the key elements developed by the JET programme directly contributing to the D-T preparation. This intense preparation includes the review of the physics basis for the D-T operational scenarios, including the fusion power predictions through first principle and integrated modelling, and the impact of isotopes in the operation and physics of D-T plasmas (thermal and particle transport, high confinement mode (H-mode) access, Be and W erosion, fuel recovery, etc). This effort also requires improving several aspects of plasma operation for DTE2, such as real time control schemes, heat load control, disruption avoidance and a mitigation system (including the installation of a new shattered pellet injector), novel ion cyclotron resonance heating schemes (such as the three-ions scheme), new diagnostics (neutron camera and spectrometer, active Alfven eigenmode antennas, neutral gauges, radiation hard imaging systems...) and the calibration of the JET neutron diagnostics at 14 MeV for accurate fusion power measurement. The active preparation of JET for the 2020 D-T campaign provides an incomparable source of information and a basis for the future D-T operation of ITER, and it is also foreseen that a large number of key physics issues will be addressed in support of burning plasmas.
|
|
2. |
- Martin, P., et al.
(author)
-
Overview of the RFX-mod fusion science programme
- 2013
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 53:10, s. 104018-
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports the highlights of the RFX-mod fusion science programme since the last 2010 IAEA Fusion Energy Conference. The RFX-mod fusion science programme focused on two main goals: exploring the fusion potential of the reversed field pinch (RFP) magnetic configuration and contributing to the solution of key science and technology problems in the roadmap to ITER. Active control of several plasma parameters has been a key tool in this endeavour. New upgrades on the system for active control of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability are underway and will be presented in this paper. Unique among the existing fusion devices, RFX-mod has been operated both as an RFP and as a tokamak. The latter operation has allowed the exploration of edge safety factor q edge < 2 with active control of MHD stability and studies concerning basic energy and flow transport mechanisms. Strong interaction has continued with the stellarator community in particular on the physics of helical states and on three-dimensional codes.
|
|
3. |
- Martin, P., et al.
(author)
-
Overview of the RFX fusion science program
- 2011
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 51:9, s. 094023-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper summarizes the main achievements of the RFX fusion science program in the period between the 2008 and 2010 IAEA Fusion Energy Conferences. RFX-mod is the largest reversed field pinch in the world, equipped with a system of 192 coils for active control of MHD stability. The discovery and understanding of helical states with electron internal transport barriers and core electron temperature >1.5 keV significantly advances the perspectives of the configuration. Optimized experiments with plasma current up to 1.8 MA have been realized, confirming positive scaling. The first evidence of edge transport barriers is presented. Progress has been made also in the control of first-wall properties and of density profiles, with initial first-wall lithization experiments. Micro-turbulence mechanisms such as ion temperature gradient and micro-tearing are discussed in the framework of understanding gradient-driven transport in low magnetic chaos helical regimes. Both tearing mode and resistive wall mode active control have been optimized and experimental data have been used to benchmark numerical codes. The RFX programme also provides important results for the fusion community and in particular for tokamaks and stellarators on feedback control of MHD stability and on three-dimensional physics. On the latter topic, the result of the application of stellarator codes to describe three-dimensional reversed field pinch physics will be presented.
|
|
4. |
- Zuin, M., et al.
(author)
-
Overview of the RFX-mod fusion science activity
- 2017
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 57:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports the main recent results of the RFX-mod fusion science activity. The RFX-mod device is characterized by a unique flexibility in terms of accessible magnetic configurations. Axisymmetric and helically shaped reversed-field pinch equilibria have been studied, along with tokamak plasmas in a wide range of q(a) regimes (spanning from 4 down to 1.2 values). The full range of magnetic configurations in between the two, the so-called ultra-low q ones, has been explored, with the aim of studying specific physical issues common to all equilibria, such as, for example, the density limit phenomenon. The powerful RFX-mod feedback control system has been exploited for MHD control, which allowed us to extend the range of experimental parameters, as well as to induce specific magnetic perturbations for the study of 3D effects. In particular, transport, edge and isotope effects in 3D equilibria have been investigated, along with runaway mitigations through induced magnetic perturbations. The first transitions to an improved confinement scenario in circular and D-shaped tokamak plasmas have been obtained thanks to an active modification of the edge electric field through a polarized electrode. The experiments are supported by intense modeling with 3D MHD, gyrokinetic, guiding center and transport codes. Proposed modifications to the RFX-mod device, which will enable further contributions to the solution of key issues in the roadmap to ITER and DEMO, are also briefly presented.
|
|
5. |
- Lorenzini, R., et al.
(author)
-
Self-organized helical equilibria as a new paradigm for ohmically heated fusion plasmas
- 2009
-
In: Nature Physics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-2473 .- 1745-2481. ; 5:8, s. 570-574
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the quest for new energy sources, the research on controlled thermonuclear fusion has been boosted by the start of the construction phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). ITER is based on the tokamak magnetic configuration, which is the best performing one in terms of energy confinement. Alternative concepts are however actively researched, which in the long term could be considered for a second generation of reactors. Here, we show results concerning one of these configurations, the reversed-field pinch (RFP). By increasing the plasma current, a spontaneous transition to a helical equilibrium occurs, with a change of magnetic topology. Partially conserved magnetic flux surfaces emerge within residual magnetic chaos, resulting in the onset of a transport barrier. This is a structural change and sheds new light on the potential of the RFP as the basis for a low-magnetic-field ohmic fusion reactor.
|
|
6. |
- Martin, P., et al.
(author)
-
Overview of RFX-mod results
- 2009
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 49:10, s. 104019-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- With the exploration of the MA plasma current regime in up to 0.5 s long discharges, RFX-mod has opened new and very promising perspectives for the reversed field pinch (RFP) magnetic configuration, and has made significant progress in understanding and improving confinement and in controlling plasma stability. A big leap with respect to previous knowledge and expectations on RFP physics and performance has been made by RFX-mod since the last 2006 IAEA Fusion Energy Conference. A new self-organized helical equilibrium has been experimentally achieved ( the Single Helical Axis-SHAx-state), which is the preferred state at high current. Strong core electron transport barriers characterize this regime, with electron temperature gradients comparable to those achieved in tokamaks, and by a factor of 4 improvement in confinement time with respect to the standard RFP. RFX-mod is also providing leading edge results on real-time feedback control of MHD instabilities, of general interest for the fusion community.
|
|
7. |
- Terranova, D., et al.
(author)
-
A 3D approach to equilibrium, stability and transport studies in RFX-mod improved regimes
- 2010
-
In: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0741-3335 .- 1361-6587. ; 52:12, s. 124023-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The full three-dimensional (3D) approach is now becoming an important issue for all magnetic confinement configurations. It is a necessary condition for the stellarator but also the tokamak and the reversed field pinch (RFP) now cannot be completely described in an axisymmetric framework. For the RFP the observation of self-sustained helical configurations with improved plasma performances require a better description in order to assess a new view on this configuration. In this new framework plasma configuration studies for RFX-mod have been considered both with tools developed for the RFP as well as considering codes originally developed for the stellarator and adapted to the RFP. These helical states are reached through a transition to a very low/reversed shear configuration leading to internal electron transport barriers. These states are interrupted by MHD reconnection events and the large Te gradients at the barriers indicate that both current and pressure driven modes are to be considered. Furthermore the typically flat Te profiles in the helical core have raised the issue of the role of electrostatic and electromagnetic turbulence in these reduced chaos regions, so that a stability analysis in the correct 3D geometry is required to address an optimization of the plasma setup. In this viewtheVMECcode proved to be an effectiveway to obtain helical equilibria to be studied in terms of stability and transport with a suite of well tested codes. In this work, the equilibrium reconstruction technique as well as the experimental evidence of 3D effects and their first interpretation in terms of stability and transport are presented using both RFP and stellarator tools.
|
|
8. |
- Puiatti, M. E., et al.
(author)
-
Helical equilibria and magnetic structures in the reversed field pinch and analogies to the tokamak and stellarator
- 2009
-
In: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0741-3335 .- 1361-6587. ; 51:12, s. 124031-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The reversed field pinch configuration is characterized by the presence of magnetic structures both in the core and at the edge: in the core, at high plasma current the spontaneous development of a helical structure is accompanied by the appearance of internal electron transport barriers; at the edge strong pressure gradients, identifying an edge transport barrier, are observed too, related to the position of the field reversal surface. The aim of this paper is the experimental characterization of both the internal and edge transport barriers in relation to the magnetic topology, discussing possible analogies and differences with other confinement schemes.
|
|
9. |
- Imbeaux, F., et al.
(author)
-
A generic data structure for integrated modelling of tokamak physics and subsystems
- 2010
-
In: Computer Physics Communications. - : Elsevier BV. - 0010-4655. ; 181:6, s. 987-998
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Integrated Tokamak Modelling Task Force (ITM-TF) is developing a new type of fully modular and flexible integrated tokamak simulator, which will allow a large variety of simulation types This ambitious goal requires new concepts of data structure and workflow organisation, which are described for the first time in this paper The backbone of the system is a physics- and workflow-oriented data structure which allows for the deployment of a fully modular and flexible workflow organisation. The data structure is designed to be generic for any tokamak device and can be used to address physics simulation results, experimental data (including description of subsystem hardware) and engineering issues (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved
|
|
10. |
- Imbeaux, F., et al.
(author)
-
Data structure for the European Integrated Tokamak Modelling Task Force
- 2008
-
In: 35th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics, EPS 2008 Combined with the 10th International Workshop on Fast Ignition of Fusion Targets; Hersonissos, Crete; Greece; 9 June 2008 through 13 June 2008. - 9781622763351 ; 32:2, s. 1126-1129
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
|
|
11. |
- Brunsell, Per, et al.
(author)
-
Feedback Stabilization of Multiple Resistive Wall Modes
- 2004
-
In: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 93:22, s. 225001-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Active feedback stabilization of multiple independent resistive wall modes is experimentally demonstrated in a reversed-field pinch plasma. A reproducible simultaneous suppression of several nonresonant resistive wall modes is achieved. Coupling of different modes due to the limited number of the feedback coils is observed in agreement with theory. The feedback stabilization of nonresonant RWMs also has an effect on tearing modes that are resonant in the central plasma, leading to a significant prolongation of the discharge pulse.
|
|
12. |
- Manduchi, G., et al.
(author)
-
A universal access layer for the Integrated Tokamak Modelling Task Force
- 2008
-
In: Fusion Engineering and Design. - : Elsevier BV. - 0920-3796. ; 83:2-3, s. 462-466
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Integrated Tokamak Modelling (ITM) Task Force aims at providing a suite of codes for preparing and analyzing future ITER discharges. In the framework of the ITM, the universal access layer (UAL) provides the capability of storing and retrieving data involved in simulation. The underlying data structure is hierarchical and the granularity in data access is given by the definition of a set of consistent physical objects (CPOs). To describe the data structure of the overall ITM database, the XML schema description (XSD) has been used. Originally intended to describe the structure of XML documents, XSD is used here to provide an unambiguous way of describing how data are structured, regardless of the actual implementation of the underlying database.The MDSplus-based UAL implementation is currently under test and other prototypes for investigating alternative data storage systems are foreseen.
|
|
13. |
|
|
14. |
|
|
15. |
- Guillerminet, B., et al.
(author)
-
Integrated tokamak modelling: Infrastructure and Software Integration Project
- 2008
-
In: Fusion Engineering and Design. - : Elsevier BV. - 0920-3796. ; 83:2-3, s. 442 - 447
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Infrastructure and Software Integration Project must provide the hardware and software environment for the European integrated tokamak modelling taskforce to build and simulate a comprehensive fusion device. Several frameworks have been evaluated in 2006 and this paper reports on the current status of the gateway, the data communication system, the Web portal and the various ITM applications. The first version will be delivered in 2007, prefiguring the next decades' tools.
|
|
16. |
- Imbeaux, F., et al.
(author)
-
Design and first applications of the ITER integrated modelling & analysis suite
- 2015
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 55:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ITER Integrated Modelling & Analysis Suite (IMAS) will support both plasma operation and research activities on the ITER tokamak experiment. The IMAS will be accessible to all ITER members as a key tool for the scientific exploitation of ITER. The backbone of the IMAS infrastructure is a standardized, machine-generic data model that represents simulated and experimental data with identical structures. The other outcomes of the IMAS design and prototyping phase are a set of tools to access data and design integrated modelling workflows, as well as first plasma simulators workflows and components implemented with various degrees of modularity.
|
|
17. |
- Strand, Pär, 1968, et al.
(author)
-
A European infrastructure for fusion simulations
- 2010
-
In: Proceedings of the 18th Euromicro Conference on Parallel, Distributed and Network-Based Processing, PDP 2010. - 9780769539393 ; , s. 460-467
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The Integrated Tokamak Modelling Task Force (ITM-TF) is developing an infrastructure where the validation needs, as being formulated in terms of multi-device data access and detailed physics comparisons aiming for inclusion of synthetic diagnostics in the simulation chain, are key components. A device independent approach to data transport and a standardized approach to data management (data structures, naming, and access) is being developed in order to allow cross validation between different fusion devices using a single toolset. The effort is focused on ITER plasmas and ITER scenario development on current fusion device. The modeling tools are, however, aimed for general use and can be promoted in other areas of modelling as well. Extensive work has already gone into the development of standardized descriptions of the data (Consistent Physical Objects) providing initial steps towards a complete fusion modelling ontology. The longer term aim is a complete simulation platform which is expected to last and be extended in different ways for the coming 30 years. The technical underpinning is therefore of vital importance. In particular, the platform needs to be extensible and open-ended to be able to take full advantage of not only today's most advanced technologies but also be able to marshal future developments. A full level comprehensive prediction of ITER physics rapidly becomes expensive in terms of computing resources and may cover a range of computing paradigms. The simulation framework therefore needs to be able to use both grid and HPC computing facilities. Hence, data access and code coupling technologies are required to be available for a heterogeneous, possibly distributed, environment. The developments in this area are pursued in a separate project - EUFORIA (EU Fusion for ITER Applications). The current status of ITM-TF and EUFORIA is presented and discussed. © 2010 IEEE.
|
|
18. |
- Voitsekhovitch, I., et al.
(author)
-
Recent EUROfusion Achievements in Support of Computationally Demanding Multiscale Fusion Physics Simulations and Integrated Modeling
- 2018
-
In: Fusion Science and Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1536-1055 .- 1943-7641. ; 74:3, s. 186-197
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- © 2018, © 2018 The Authors. Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Integrated modeling (IM) of present experiments and future tokamak reactors requires the provision of computational resources and numerical tools capable of simulating multiscale spatial phenomena as well as fast transient events and relatively slow plasma evolution within a reasonably short computational time. Recent progress in the implementation of the new computational resources for fusion applications in Europe based on modern supercomputer technologies (supercomputer MARCONI-FUSION), in the optimization and speedup of the EU fusion-related first-principle codes, and in the development of a basis for physics codes/modules integration into a centrally maintained suite of IM tools achieved within the EUROfusion Consortium is presented. Physics phenomena that can now be reasonably modelled in various areas (core turbulence and magnetic reconnection, edge and scrape-off layer physics, radio-frequency heating and current drive, magnetohydrodynamic model, reflectometry simulations) following successful code optimizations and parallelization are briefly described. Development activities in support to IM are summarized. They include support to (1) the local deployment of the IM infrastructure and access to experimental data at various host sites, (2) the management of releases for sophisticated IM workflows involving a large number of components, and (3) the performance optimization of complex IM workflows.
|
|
19. |
- Guillerminet, B., et al.
(author)
-
Gateway: New high performance computing facility for EFDA task force on integrated Tokamak modelling
- 2010
-
In: Fusion Engineering and Design. - : Elsevier BV. - 0920-3796. ; 85:3-4, s. 410 - 414
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The EFDA task force on Integrated Tokamak Modelling (ITM-TF) is providing the EU fusion community with a complete and flexible suite of reliable software tools and codes able to simulate the next ITER and DEMO plasma discharges. EFDA has launched the Gateway project as the first computing facility to be jointly used by EU fusion associations.The Gateway has been designed to allow the ITM-TF members to work together on a common platform and share their codes, developments tools and technologies as well as to make able the inter-operation with tera-scale supercomputer facilities. Technically the Gateway is a rather small high computing facility in operation since 2008, with 1 Teraflops of theoretical peak and 100 Terabytes shared storage area for experimental and simulation data.This paper describes the information technologies involved in the Gateway facility, particularly as regards the low latency interconnect network for multi-core platform as well as fast I/O solutions implemented with storage over Infiniband and high performance parallel file systems. The solutions adopted on the Gateway facility had undergone to specific benchmarks showing excellent performances in typical fusion data handling issues. Finally the interoperability between Gateway and ENEA CRESCO supercomputer will be described showing the access solutions that allow the exploitation of tera-scale supercomputer facilities.
|
|
20. |
- Guillerminet, B., et al.
(author)
-
High Performance Computing tools for the Integrated Tokamak Modelling project
- 2010
-
In: Fusion Engineering and Design. - : Elsevier BV. - 0920-3796. ; 85:3-4, s. 388 - 393
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fusion Modelling and Simulation are very challenging and the High Performance Computing issues are addressed here. Toolset for jobs launching and scheduling, data communication and visualization have been developed by the EUFORIA project and used with a plasma edge simulation code.
|
|