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Ogawa, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Ogawa, K..

Orbit-following simulations of fast-ion transport and losses due to the Alfvén eigenmode burst in the Large Helical Device

Orbit-following simulations of fast-ion transport and losses with time-dependent electromagnetic perturbations are performed to clarify the roles of Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and the low-frequency magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mode observed in the kinetic-MHD hybrid simulation of AE bursts in the Large Helical Device. Fast-ion pressure profile flattening in the kinetic-MHD hybrid simulation can be reproduced by an orbit-following simulation with only the primary single AE of the time-dependent amplitude following the kinetic-MHD hybrid simulation result, while orbit-following simulations with constant AE amplitude of average level during AE burst cannot reproduce the fast-ion pressure profile flattening observed. The effects of other modes are negligible on the fast-ion pressure profile flattening. The fast-ion losses in kinetic-MHD hybrid simulation can be reproduced by an orbit-following simulation with time-dependent amplitude when the low-frequency MHD mode is considered in addition to multiple AEs. This indicates the synergetic effect of multiple AEs and the low-frequency MHD mode on fast-ion losses.

Seki, Ryohsuke↗

Overview of Large Helical Device experiments of basic plasma physics for solving crucial issues in reaching burning plasma conditions

Recently, experiments on basic plasma physics issues for solving future problems in fusion energy have been performed on a Large Helical Device. There are several problems to be solved in future devices for fusion energy. Emerging issues in burning plasma are: alpha-channeling (ion heating by alpha particles), turbulence and transport in electron dominant heating helium ash exhaust, reduction of the divertor heat load. To solve these problems, understanding the basic plasma physics of (1) wave–particle interaction through (inverse) Landau damping, (2) characteristics of electron-scale (high-k) turbulence, (3) ion mixing and the isotope effect, and (4) turbulence spreading and detachment, is necessary. This overview discusses the experimental studies on these issues and turbulent transport in multi-ion plasma and other issues in the appendix.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Energetic particle transport and loss induced by helically-trapped energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange modes in the Large Helical Device

Here, energetic-ion confinement and loss due to energetic-ion driven magnetohydrodynamic modes are studied using comprehensive neutron diagnostics and orbit-following numerical simulations for the Large Helical Device (LHD). The neutron flux monitor is employed in order to obtain global confinement of energetic ions and two installed vertical neutron cameras (VNCs) viewing different poloidal cross-sections are utilized in order to measure the radial profile of energetic ions. A strong helically-trapped energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange mode (EIC) excited in relatively low-density plasma terminated high-temperature state in LHD. Changes in the neutron emission profile due to the EIC excitation are clearly visualized by the VNCs. The reduction in the neutron signal for the helical ripple valley increases with EIC amplitude, which reaches approximately 50%. In addition to the EIC experiment, orbit-following simulations using the DELTA5D code with EIC fluctuations were performed to assess the energetic-ion transport and loss. Two-dimensional temporal evolution results show that the neutron emissivity at the helical ripple decreases significantly due to the EIC. The rapid reduction in neutron emissivity shows that the helically-trapped beam ions immediately escape from the plasma. The reduction in the VNC signals for the helical ripple valley and the total neutron emission rate increase with increasing EIC amplitude, as observed in the experiment. Calculated line-integrated neutron emission results show that the profile measured by VNC1 has one peak, whereas the profile measured by VNC2 has two peaks, as observed in the experiment. Although the neutron emission profile for VNC2 has a relatively wide peak compared with the experimental results, the significant decrease in neutron signal corresponding to the helical ripple valley was successfully reproduced.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Estimation of 14 MeV neutron rate from triton burn-up in future W7-X deuterium plasma campaigns

Fast ion confinement is of major importance for the ignition of a burning fusion plasma. In future deuterium plasma campaigns of the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, W7-X, the amount of triton burn-up is one possible measure for fast ion confinement. A well-established technique to observe triton burn-up is the 14 MeV neutron rate. In this paper, it is estimated whether an existing scintillating fibre neutron detector is also suited to measure triton burn-up in W7-X with sufficient accuracy. In this work, an estimation is presented, which can be applied to any tokamak or stellarator design and is one-dimensional in the minor radius. The inputs are profiles of density, temperature, and differential volume element as well as the triton slowing-down time. The estimation calculates the thermal deuteron fusion rate and the associated deuteron-triton fusion rate; thus, the triton burn-up generated 14 MeV neutron rate. It neither takes triton diffusion nor explicit losses into account. This thermally generated fusion rate is compared to the neutral beam injection heating induced beam-plasma fusion rate.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Phobos Environment Model and Regolith Simulant for MMX Mission

Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, are considered to be scientifically important and potential human mission's target. Martian Moons eXplorer (MMX) is the JAXA's mission to explore Phobos (and/or Deimos), which is scheduled to be launched in 2024. The main spacecraft of MMX will perform in-situ observations of both Phobos and Deimos, land on one of them (most likely, Phobos), and bring samples back to Earth. Small landing modules may be included in the mission as for the Hayabusa-2 mission. The designs of both the landing and sampling devices depend largely on the surface conditions of the target body and on how this surface reacts to an external action in the low gravity conditions of the target. Thus, the Landing Operation Working Team (LOWT) of MMX, which is composed of both scientists and engineers, is studying Phobos' surface based on previous observations and theoretical/experimental considerations. Though engineering motivation initiated this activity, the results will be extremely useful for scientific purposes.

mmx↗

Japanese MAGSAT team

Construction of a model of the regional magnetic field and investigation of the local magnetic anomalies and their origin were approaches used in attempts to study the crustal structure near Japan and its Antarctic bases. Spatial properties of the regional magnetic field and comparison of the regional model with that derived from MAGSAT data are discussed. Possible causes of the magnetic anomalies, and results of aeromagnetic surveys incorporating gravity and seismic data are explored. Ionospheric and magnetospheric contributions to geomagnetic variations, field-aligned currents, magnetic geomagnetic pulsations, and hydromagnetic waves by analysis of MAGSAT data are also examined.

Fukushima, N.↗

Report of investigation from Japanese MAGSAT Team

Progress in the data processing and data acquisition of computer compatible MAGSAT tapes is reported. Investigations focused on the crustal structure near Japan and its Antarctic station, and electric currents and hydrodynamic waves in the ionosphere and the magnetosphere. The magnetization of the crust in the northwestern Pacific region is discussed.

Fukushima, N.↗

Japanese Magsat Team. A: Crustal structure near Japan and its Antarctic Station. B: Electric currents and hydromagnetic waves in the ionosphere and the magnetosphere

Efforts continue in compiling tapes which contain vector and scalar data decimated at an interval of 0.5 sec, together with time and position data. A map of the total force field anomaly around Japan was developed which shows a negative magnetic anomaly in the Okhotsk Sea. Examination of vector residuals from the MGST model shows that the total force perturbation is almost ascribable to the perturbation parallel to the main geomagnetic field and that the contribution from the perturbation transverse to the main field to the total force perturbation is negligibly small. The influences of ionospheric current with equatorial electroject and of the magnetospheric field aligned current on the dawn-dusk asymmetry of daily geomagnetic variations are being considered. The total amount of electric current flowing through the plane of the Magsat orbit loop was calculated by direct application of Maxwell's equation. Results show that the total electric current is 1 to 5 ampheres, and the current direction is either sunward or antisunward.

Fukushima, N.↗

Studying internal and external magnetic fields in Japan using MAGSAT data

Examination of the total intensity data of CHRONIT on a few paths over Japan and its neighboring sea shows MAGSAT is extremely useful for studying the local magnetic anomaly. In high latitudes, the signatures of field aligned currents are clearly recognized. These include (1) the persistent basic pattern of current flow; (2) the more intense currents in the summer hemisphere than in the winter hemisphere; (3) more fluctuations in current intensities in summer dawn hours; and (4) apparent dawn-dusk asymmetry in the field-aligned current intensity between the north and south polar regions.

Fukushima, N.↗