| 1. |
- Martin, P., et al.
(author)
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Overview of the RFX fusion science program
- 2011
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 51:9, s. 094023-
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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.
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| 2. |
- Puiatti, M. E., et al.
(author)
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Internal and external electron transport barriers in the RFX-mod reversed field pinch
- 2011
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 51:7, s. 073038-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An interesting result of magnetic chaos reduction in RFX-mod high current discharges is the development of strong electron transport barriers. An internal heat and particle transport barrier is formed when a bifurcation process changes the magnetic configuration into a helical equilibrium and chaos reduction follows, together with the formation of a null in the q shear. Strong temperature gradients develop, corresponding to a decreased thermal and particle transport. Turbulence analysis shows that the large electron temperature gradients are limited by the onset of micro-tearing modes, in addition to residual magnetic chaos. A new type of electron transport barrier with strong temperature gradients develops more externally (r/a = 0.8) accompanied by a 30% improvement of the global confinement time. The mechanism responsible for the formation of such a barrier is still unknown but it is likely associated with a local reduction of magnetic chaos. These external barriers develop primarily in situations of well-conditioned walls so that they might be regarded as attempts towards an L-H transition. Both types of barriers occur in high-current low-collisionality regimes. Analogies with tokamak and stellarators are discussed.
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| 3. |
- Baruzzo, M., et al.
(author)
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3D effects on RWM physics in RFX-mod
- 2011
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - 1741-4326 .- 0029-5515. ; 51, s. 083037-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- n this paper insights into the behaviour of resistive wall modes (RWMs) in the RFX-mod reversed field pinch device are given, with a focus on 3D issues in the characterization of the m spectrum of the mode and on the study of multi-harmonic coupling.In the first part of the paper the interaction between multiple unstable RWMs is studied and the presence of a coupling between different poloidal components of the most unstable RWM is demonstrated, taking advantage of the flexibility of the RFX-mod control system.In the second part of the work, the dependence of the growth rates of RWMs on a complete set of plasma parameters is studied in order to create a complete and homogeneous database, which permits a careful validation of stability codes.Finally, the experimental data are compared with the code predictions which take into account the 3D structure of conductors around the plasma. The different effects that modify the simple description, where unstable modes can be identified with single Fourier harmonics, appear to be explained by a mixture of toroidicity-induced and 3D eddy current effects.
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