Effect of edge turbulent transport on scrape-off layer width on HL-2A tokamak

Effect of edge turbulent transport on scrape-off layer(SOL) width has been investigated in Ohmically heated L-mode plasma under limiter configurations on HL-2 A tokamak. It has been found that SOL width is doubled when plasma current decreases about 20%. With larger plasma current, E?×?B shear is stronger and has greater suppression effect on edge turbulent transport.SOL width is larger when power of relative density ?uctuation level in the edge region is larger.It is concluded that edge turbulent transport plays a significant role on SOL width. These experimental findings may provide a better understanding and controlling of power exhaust for present and future fusion devices.     

Modeling of Heat Fluxes in Edge Plasma of Small Size Divertor Tokamak

The heat flows out from the tokamak core region are collected on the divertor plates and external wall. Control of heat flux exhaust in the SOL and divertor plates regions is one of the important issues in tokamak physics. There are important phenomena affecting heat flows were simulated. The simulation is based on the B2SOLPS5.0 2D multifluid code. It is demonstrated that, the following results: (1) The simulation shows that, the operation of small size divertor tokamak, the divertor plate with/without impurities influence on profiles of electron, ion temperatures, and heat loads significantly. (2) Under normal direction of parallel (toroidal) magnetic field and different values of edge plasma density, strong “SOL” heat flow exists directed towards the LFS (outer) plate. (3) The simulation results show that, the increasing of the plasma density strong influence on the ion and electron poloidal heat fluxes profile significantly. The ion and electron polodial heat flux increase by factor “~8” and “2.4” times. (4) The simulation results show that the in–out asymmetry of heat fluxes was reversed when switching on/off E × B drifts in the edge plasma of this tokamak. (5) The simulation results show correlation between the in–out asymmetry divertor heat fluxes and E × B drift velocity. (6) The observed heat loads asymmetry between HFS and LFS plates can be explained with the radial electric field in SOL. (7) Also the simulation results performed result in, the in–out asymmetry strong influence on the characteristic length of ion poloidal heat flux.     

Modelling of Edge Plasma on JT-60U Tokamak by Using SOLPS5.0 code

The edge plasma transport code SOLPS5.0 is used for modelling edge plasmas in the experimental shots on JT-60U tokamak and the proles of the radial particle and heat transport coecients D, e and i along the outer midplane have been obtained by tting the code results to the experimental measurement in L-mode shot 39090 and H-mode shots 37851, 37856. The experimental measurement used for tting includes the proles of electron temperature and density along the outer midplane, the pumping speed, the total particle ux from the core boundary to the computational region and the ux density of neutrals near the outer wall. The modelling and tting results show within the pedestal region in H-mode shots 37851 and 37856 the radial particle transport coecient D has larger drop, but, for L-mode shot 39090, the obvious drop of D and e has not been found.     

Simulation of Small Size Divertor Tokamak Plasma Edge Including Self-Consistent Electric Fields

The B2.SOLPES.0.5.2D code (Braams, Contrib Plasma Phys 36:276, 1996; Rozhansky and Tendler, Rev Plasma Phys 19:147, 1996) is applied for modeling SOL (Scrape off Layer) plasma in the small size divertor tokamak. Detailed distributions of the plasma heat flux and other plasma parameters in SOL, especially at the target plate of the divertor are found by modeling. The modeling results show that most of the electron heat flux and small part of ion heat flux arrive at target plate of the divertor, while, a large part of the ion heat flux and part of electron heat flux arrive at the outer wall. Also analysis of the role of poloidal E × B drifts in the redistribution of edge plasma is fulfilled.     

Recent results on the application of electron cyclotron heating to tokamaks

Many experiments using Electron Cyclotron Heating (ECH) of plasmas in tokamaks have been reported over the past several years. At a power level of 4 MW, ECH has achieved electron temperatures as high as 10 keV in the T-10 tokamak, and the H-mode has been attained in divertor discharges in DIII-D and JFT-2M. Regarding global energy confinement in either L-mode or Hmode, ECH appears to be quite similar in efficiency to neutral injection, but in addition to bulk heating it has been useful for many purposes, including study of local electron heat diffusivity through pulse-modulated heating; suppression of sawteeth, Edge Localized Modes, and other MHD activity; suppression of disruptions; preionization and startup; and current drive. In this paper, progress in these areas which has been reported since the IAEA meeting in 1986 will be summarized.Work supported by U.S. Department of Energy Contract No. DEAC03-89ER51114.     

Heat Transport During H-Mode in the HL-2A Tokamak

Perturbative experiments on electron heat transport have been successfully con- ducted on the HL-2A tokamak. The pulse propagation of the electron temperature is induced by the supersonic molecular beam injection (SMBI), which has characteristics of good localization and deep deposition. A model based on the electron heat transport in cylindrical geometry has been applied to reconstruct the measured amplitude and phase profi les of the electron temperature perturbation. The results show that the heat transport is significantly reduced near the pedestal region of the H-mode plasma. In the \profi ness/resilience" region, similar heat diffusivities have been observed in L-mode and H-mode plasmas, which verifiesthe gradient-driven transport physics in tokamaks.     

Observation of Central Toroidal Rotation Induced by ICRF on EAST

Core plasma rotation of both L-mode and H-mode discharges with ion cyclotron range of frequency(ICRF) minority heating(MH) scheme was measured with a tangential X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on EAST(Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak).Cocurrent central impurity toroidal rotation change was observed in ICRF-heated L-and H-mode plasmas.Rotation increment as high as 30 km/s was generated at ~1.7 MW ICRF power.Scaling results showed similar trend as the Rice scaling but with significant scattering,especially in L-mode plasmas.We varied the plasma current,toroidal field and magnetic configuration individually to study their effect on L-mode plasma rotation,while keeping the other major plasma parameters and heating unchanged during the scanning.It was found that larger plasma current could induce plasma rotation more efficiently.A scan of the toroidal magnetic field indicated that the largest rotation was obtained for on-axis ICRF heating.A comparison between lower-single-null(LSN)and double-null(DN) configurations showed that LSN discharges rendered a larger rotation change for the same power input and plasma parameters.     

Study on divertor heat flux under n = 3 and n = 4 resonant magnetic perturbations using infrared thermography diagnostic in EAST

Resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) with high toroidal mode number n are considered for controlling edge-localized modes (ELMs) and divertor heat flux in future ITER H-mode operations. In this paper, characteristics of divertor heat flux under high-n RMPs (n = 3 and 4) in H-mode plasma are investigated using newly upgraded infrared thermography diagnostic in EAST. Additional splitting strike point (SSP) accompanying with ELM suppression is observed under both RMPs with n = 3 and n = 4, the SSP in heat flux profile agrees qualitatively with the modeled magnetic footprint. Although RMPs suppress ELMs, they increase the stationary heat flux during ELM suppression. The dependence of heat flux on ${q}_{95}$ during ELM suppression is preliminarily investigated, and further splitting in the original strike point is observed at ${q}_{95}=4$ during ELM suppression. In terms of ELM pulses, the presence of RMPs shows little influence on transient heat flux distribution.     

Realization of minute-long steady-state H-mode discharges on EAST

In the 2016 EAST experimental campaign,a steady-state long-pulse H-mode discharge with an ITER-like tungsten divertor lasting longer than one minute has been obtained using only RF heating and current drive,through an integrated control of the wall conditioning,plasma configuration,divertor heat flux,particle exhaust,impurity management,and effective coupling of multiple RF heating and current drive sources at high injected power.The plasma current (Ip ～ 0.45 MA) was fully-noninductively driven (Vloop ＜ 0.0 V) by a combination of ～2.5 MW LHW,～0.4 MW ECH and ～0.8 MW ICRF.This result demonstrates the progress of physics and technology studies on EAST,and will benefit the physics basis for steady state operation of ITER and CFETR.     

Divertor detachment operation in helium plasmas with ITER-like tungsten divertor in EAST

Detachment in helium (He) discharges has been achieved in the EAST superconducting tokamak equipped with an ITER-like tungsten divertor. This paper presents the experimental observations of divertor detachment achieved by increasing the plasma density in He discharges. During density ramp-up, the particle flux shows a clear rollover, while the electron temperature around the outer strike point is decreasing simultaneously. The divertor detachment also exhibits a significant difference from that observed in comparable deuterium (D) discharges. The density threshold of detachment in the He plasma is higher than that in the D plasma for the same heating power, and increases with the heating power. Moreover, detachment assisted with neon (Ne) seeding was also performed in L- and H-mode plasmas, pointing to the direction for reducing the density threshold of detachment in He operation. However, excessive Ne seeding causes confinement degradation during the divertor detachment phase. The precise feedback control of impurity seeding will be performed in EAST to improve the compatibility of core plasma performance with divertor detachment for future high heating power operations.     

Simulation of Low–High Transition by Neutral Beam Injection in Edge Plasma of Small Size Divertor Tokamak

This paper reports simulation of L–H transition by fluid transport code B2SOLPS0.5.2D at low ion plasma density on neutral beam injection (NBI) in the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak. The simulation provides the following results: (1) the transition is possible at plasma density 2 × 10¹⁹ m^?3 with NBI at temperature heating T^heating 3.62 keV. (2) The simulation predicts the generation of large negative radial electric field E _r, which is thought to help L–H transition during NBI, is suggested in the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak. (3) The toroidal current density in the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak is plasma density and direction of NBI dependence. (4) Parallel flux transport by anomalous viscosity (turbulent) through separatrix leads to the variation of toroidal current density.     

B2SOLPS0.5.2D Code Simulations of SOL Flows and Drifts Effects in the Edge Plasma of Small Size Divertor Tokamak

The B2SOLPS0.5.2D code can completely derive measured target asymmetries in edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak (SSDT). SOL flow measurements by the code have been performed in L-mode plasma at various poloidal locations in small size divertor tokamak. The main results of simulations suggest that, the following results: (1) SOLPS0.5.2D simulation predicts J_r^(\textdia) ×B_T J_{r}^{{({\text{dia}})}} \times B_{T} J_r^(\textdia) J_{r}^{{({\text{dia}})}} is diamagnetic current, B _T is normal toroidal magnetic field) force due to the presence of large up-down pressure asymmetries is one of the reasons responsible for observed target asymmetries. (2) The shear of plasma toroidal rotation which is contributed for ITB formation and transition to improved confinement regime is formed near separatrix. The role of centrifugal effect in target asymmetries and SOL flow has been investigated.     

Simulation of Small Size Divertor Tokamak Plasma Edge in the L-regime with ion Transport Barrier

Simulations of L-regimes of small size divertor tokamak plasma edge have been performed with the B2SOLPS5.0 2D fluid transport code for wide range parameters. A conclusion has been made that, radial electric field in the vicinity and inside separatrix is near to neoclassical electric field value. The poloidal E × B drifts and compensating parallel fluxes in the scrape off layer are large in the L-regime with ITB due to steeper gradients while the qualitative pattern of the flows is similar to that of the L-mode.     

Real-time fast ferrite ICRF tuning system on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

A real-time ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) antenna matching system has been successfully implemented on Alcator C-Mod. This is a triple-stub tuning system working at 80 MHz, where one stub acts as a pre-matching stub and the other two stubs use fast ferrite tuners (FFTs) to accomplish fast tuning. It utilizes a digital controller for feedback control (200 μs per iteration) using real-time antenna loading measurements as inputs and the coil currents to the FFT as outputs. The system has achieved and maintained matching for a large range of plasma parameters, including L-mode, H-mode, and plasmas with edge localized modes. It has succeeded in delivering up to 1.85 MW net rf power into H-mode plasmas at maximum voltage of 37 kV on the unmatched side of the matching system.     

Realization of divertor configuration discharge in J-TEXT tokamak

To extend the operation region of the Joint-Texas Experimental tokamak (J-TEXT) to the divertor configuration and even the H-mode, the divertor configuration discharge has been realized for the first time in the J-TEXT tokamak. Along with the establishment of a power supply for the divertor configuration, the construction of relevant diagnostics, and the installation of the divertor target on the high-field side, divertor discharge has been tested. Through the equilibrium calculation and position stability analysis, the control strategy has evolved to be more stable. High-density experiments and auxiliary heating experiments have been carried out on the divertor configuration. The special midplane single-null (MSN) divertor configuration is shown to be more stable than the limiter configuration in the density limit condition and can reach a higher density in the experiment. In the ECRH experiment, the power injection enhances the electron temperature and density, while more heat outflux is loaded on the divertor target tiles and causes more intensive recycling and impurity release. The future plan for the divertor configuration operation in the J-TEXT tokamak is also included.     

Implications of NSTX lithium results for magnetic fusion research

Lithium wall coating techniques have been experimentally explored on National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) for the last five years. The lithium experimentation on NSTX started with a few milligrams of lithium injected into the plasma as pellets and it has evolved to a lithium evaporation system which can evaporate up to ∼100 g of lithium onto the lower divertor plates between lithium re-loadings. The unique feature of the lithium research program on NSTX is that it can investigate the effects of lithium in H-mode divertor plasmas. This lithium evaporation system thus far has produced many intriguing and potentially important results; the latest of these are summarized in a companion paper by H. Kugel. In this paper, we suggest possible implications and applications of the NSTX lithium results on the magnetic fusion research which include electron and global energy confinement improvements, MHD stability enhancement at high beta, edge localized mode (ELM) control, H-mode power threshold reduction, improvements in radio frequency heating and non-inductive plasma start-up performance, innovative divertor solutions and improved operational efficiency.     

Feasibility study of an actively cooled tungsten divertor in Tore Supra for ITER technology testing

In order to reduce the risks for ITER Plasma Facing Components (PFCs), it is proposed to equip Tore Supra with a full tungsten divertor, benefitting from the unique long pulse capabilities, the high installed RF power and the long experience with actively cooled high heat flux components of the Tore Supra platform. The transformation from the current circular limiter geometry to the required X-point configuration will be achieved by installing a set of copper poloidal coils inside the vacuum vessel. The new configuration will allow for H-mode access, providing relevant plasma conditions for PFC technology validation. Furthermore, attractive steady-state regimes are expected to be achievable. The lower divertor target design will be closely based on that currently envisaged for ITER (W monoblocks), while the upper divertor region will be used to qualify the main first wall heat sink technology adopted for the ITER blanket modules (CuCrZr copper/stainless steel) with a tungsten coating (in place of the Be tiles which ITER will use). Extended plasma exposure will provide access to ITER critical issues such as PFC lifetime (melting, cracking, etc.), tokamak operation on damaged metallic surfaces, real time heat flux control through PFC monitoring, fuel retention and dust production.     

DIVIMP Modeling of Impurity Transport in EAST

Simulations of carbon impurity transport in SOL/divertor plasmas with Ohmic heating on EAST tokamak were performed using the two-dimensional（2D）Monte Carlo impurity transport code DIVIMP.The background plasmas for DIVIMP simulations were externally taken from B2.5/Eirene calculation.Besides the basic output of DIVIMP,the 2D density distributions of the carbon impurity with different ionization states and neutral carbon atoms were obtained,the2D distributions of CII and CIII emissivities from C＋1and C＋2radiation respectively were also calculated.Comparison between the measured and calculated CIII emissivities showed favorable agreement,indicating that the impurity physics transport models,as implemented in the DIVIMP code,are suitable for the EAST tokamak plasma condition.     

Modelling of Small Size Divertor Tokamak Plasma Edge in the Higher Confinement Regime

A version of the B2SOLPS0.5.2D fluid transport code is the new version of B2SOLPS fluid transport code, which is suited technique to simulate the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak in the H- regime. The results of simulation provide the following: (1) the radial electric field inside the transport barrier is consistent with the neoclassical nature of the radial electric field. (2) The absolute value of the radial electric field shear at inner side of internal transport barrier is small and consistent with the value of shear before the L–H transition, while the value of shear at barrier is significantly large. (3) As a result of strong radial electric field shear and strong barrier formation the diffusion coefficient reduced by factor ~3 with respect to L-mode while ion heat conductivity reduced by factor ~22 with respect to L-mode inside the barrier. (4) The toroidal (Parallel) flux is directed along co-current direction as L-mode but at inner side of barrier is significantly large in absolute value. (5) The radial profile of toroidal rotation in vicinity of transition layer is determined by the parameter δ (width of the transition layer) depending on the collisionality and anomalous diffusion coefficient.     

Temperature Distribution and Heat Flux on the EAST Divertor Targets in H-Mode

An infrared camera (IR) has been put into operation in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which is used to measure the temperature distribution on the surface of lower divertor target plates. With a finite di®erence method, the heat flux onto the divertor target plates is calculated from the surface temperature profile. The high confinement mode (H-mode) with type-III edge localized modes (ELMs) has been obtained with about 1 MW lower-hybrid wave power on the EAST in the autumn experiment in 2010. The analyzed H-mode discharges were lower single null X-point diverted discharges with a density range of < ne > (1~ 4)x 10¹⁹ m^-3. The surface temperature of the inner target plate increases with heating power. The peak temperature on the surface of target plates is lower than 200 oC with about 2.4 MW heating power. Comparison among the heat flux profiles occurring in di fferent phases in the same discharge has been erformed. It indicates that the heatflux profile obviously changes from the ohmic phase to the H-mode phase, and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the heat flux pro file is the narrowest during the ELM-free H-phase. On the outer target plate, the peak heat flux exceeds 2 MW/m2 during the ELMy H-mode phase, whereas it is only about 0.8 MW/m2 during the ELM-free phase in the same discharge.