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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Modeling the effect of MHD activity on runaway electron generation during SPARC disruptions

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities and runaway electrons (REs) interact in several ways, making it important to self-consistently model these interactions for accurate predictions of RE generation and the design of mitigation strategies, such as massive gas injection (MGI). Using M3D-C1 – an extended MHD code with a RE fluid model – we investigate the effects of 3-D nonlinear MHD activity, material injection, and 2-D axisymmetric vertical displacement events (VDEs) on RE evolution during disruptions on SPARC – a high-field, high-current tokamak designed to achieve a fusion gain Q > 1. Several cases, comprising different combinations of neon (Ne) and deuterium (D 2 ) injection, are considered. Here, our results demonstrate key effects that arise from the self-consistent RE + MHD coupling, such as an initial increase in RE generation due to MHD instability growth, decreased saturation energies of the m/n = 1/1 mode driving sawteeth-like activity, RE losses in stochastic magnetic fields, and subsequent RE confinement and plateau formation due to re-healing of flux surfaces. Large RE plateaus (>5 MA) are obtained with Ne-only injection (2-5 × 10 21 atoms), while combined D 2 + Ne injection (2 × 10 21 Ne atoms; 1.8 × 10 22 D 2 molecules) produces a lower RE current (<2 MA). With D 2 + Ne injection, a post thermal quench "cold" VDE terminates the RE beam, preventing a steady plateau. These simulations couple REs, 3-D MHD instabilities, MGI, and axisymmetric VDEs for the first time in SPARC disruption simulations and represent a crucial step in understanding RE generation and mitigation in high-current devices like SPARC.

Datta, Rishabh [Massachusetts Inst. of Technology ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tantalum Suboxide Films with Tunable Composition and Electrical Resistivity Deposited by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

Tantalum-based films with tailored composition, density, and electrical resistivity are of interest for next generation hohlraums for magnetized indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion. Here, we use reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering to deposit tantalum suboxide films with O content in the range of 46–71 at.%. In contrast to a common approach involving varying reactive gas contents, compositional control is achieved kinetically by changing the total chamber pressure and the deposition rate, while keeping the working gas mix of Ar-5%O2 constant. The resultant films are X-ray amorphous with electrical resistivity varying by over seven orders of magnitude. The dominant conduction mechanism changes from metallic to activated tunneling above ∼55 at.% of O, which is characterized by a sharp increase in resistivity and a decrease in the carrier density at low temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

High Resolution Ion Energy Distribution Measurements for Energization Studies on Madison Symmetric Torus RFP Plasmas

We propose to continue a comprehensive and aggressive collaborative study of the critical issues of RFP and fusion physics at MST by enhancing the inferred ion distribution function and the high (spatial and temporal) resolution of magnetic fluctuation measurements. For this, we propose to make novel use of a retarding potential before a neutral particle analyzer as well as a novel millimeter magnetic probe. The measurement of relationships between ion and electron temperatures and magnetic field fluctuations can provide otherwise unobtainable insights on the role of turbulence in fusion plasmas with special focus on the impact of magnetic field turbulence on plasma confinement and scaling. These insights can be particularly valuable when they are coupled with an increased understanding of the issues which drive the turbulence onset, enhance steady-state sustainment, and enable turbulent dissipation. With these new insights, MST will be particularly well positioned to provide important insights in a manner portable to a broad class of fusion devices. We propose to exploit this opportunity and, at the same time, take full advantage of the associated educational enhancements for plasma physics students as FAMU continues to expand the diversity of the fusion scientific workforce.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Control of plasma stored energy for burn control using DIII-D in-vessel coils

A new approach has been experimentally demonstrated to control the stored energy by applying a non-axisymmetric magnetic field using the DIII-D in-vessel coils to modify the energy confinement time. In future burning plasma experiments as well as magnetic fusion energy power plants, various concepts have been proposed to control the fusion power. The fusion power in a power plant operating at high gain can be related to the plasma stored energy and hence, is a strong function of the energy confinement time. Thus, an actuator that modifies the confinement time can be used to adjust the fusion power. In relatively low collisionality DIII-D discharges, the application of non-axisymmetric magnetic fields results in a decrease in confinement time and density pumpout. Gas puffing was used to compensate the density pumpout in the pedestal while control of the stored energy was demonstrated by the application of non-axisymmetric fields.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Width-Tuned Magnetic Order Oscillation on Zigzag Edges of Honeycomb Nanoribbons

Quantum confinement and interference often generate exotic properties in nanostructures. One recent highlight is the experimental indication of a magnetic phase transition in zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons at the critical ribbon width of about 7 nm [Magda, G. Z. et al. Nature 2014, 514, 608]. Here in this work, we show theoretically that with further increase in the ribbon width, the magnetic correlation of the two edges can exhibit an intriguing oscillatory behavior between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic, driven by acquiring the positive coherence between the two edges to lower the free energy. The oscillation effect is readily tunable in applied magnetic fields. In conclusion, these novel properties suggest new experimental manifestation of the edge magnetic orders in graphene nanoribbons and enhance the hopes of graphene-like spintronic nanodevices functioning at room temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of magnetic islands in tokamak plasmas during the suppression of edge-localized modes

In tokamaks, a leading platform for fusion energy, periodic filamentary plasma eruptions known as edge-localized modes occur in plasmas with high-energy confinement and steep pressure profiles at the plasma edge. These edge-localized modes could damage the tokamak wall but can be suppressed using small three-dimensional magnetic perturbations. Here we demonstrate that these magnetic perturbations can change the magnetic topology just inside the steep gradient region of the plasma edge. We identify signatures of a magnetic island, and their observation is linked to the suppression of edge-localized modes. We compare high-resolution measurements of perturbed magnetic surfaces with predictions from ideal magnetohydrodynamic theory where the magnetic topology is preserved. Although ideal magnetohydrodynamics adequately describes the measurements in plasmas exhibiting edge-localized modes, it proves insufficient for plasmas where these modes are suppressed. Nonlinear resistive magnetohydrodynamic modelling supports this observation. Our study experimentally confirms the predicted role of magnetic islands in inhibiting the occurrence of edge-localized modes. This will be beneficial for physics-based predictions in future fusion devices to control these modes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Guiding center equations for the magnetic dipole

Since the discovery of Van Allen radiation belts in the 1960s, observations of energetic ions trapped in the Earth's dipole magnetic field have illustrated the remarkable confinement properties of this configuration. As such, it has been used for confining a hot plasma for nuclear fusion studies, starting from the pioneering work of Bo Lehnert and Akira Hasegawa, in the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) at MIT until 2011 and in the RT-1 experiment at the University of Tokyo. More recently, the dipole has been subject to a renewed interest for fusion studies by a couple of startups and for smaller applications as a cold plasma source. While the equilibrium and magneto-hydrodynamic stability of the dipole have been investigated quite in detail, neoclassical properties of the dipole are comparatively much less known: the dipole is more known in geophysics than in fusion science. For this reason, in this paper, we propose a set of Hamiltonian, guiding-center equations to describe the motion of electrons and ions in a magnetic dipole configuration. We also developed a code, and we show the main features of particle motion, benchmarking our results with the analytical solutions for the bounce and precession motion, which are well documented in the literature. We also draw some general conclusions for the neoclassical transport in usual toroidal confinement schemes, such as the tokamak and the stellarator, pointing out the unique advantages of the dipole in confining energetic particles.

Hamiltonian mechanics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spindown of Pulsars Interacting with Companion Winds: The Impact of Magnetospheric Compression

Pulsars in binary systems with strong companion winds can have the magnetopause separating their magnetosphere from the wind located well within their light cylinder. This bow-like enclosure effectively creates a waveguide that confines the pulsar's electromagnetic fields and can significantly alter its spindown. In this paper, we study the spindown of compressed pulsar magnetospheres in such systems. We parameterize the confinement as the ratio between the equatorial position of the magnetopause (or standoff distance) R m and the pulsar's light cylinder R LC . Using particle-in-cell simulations, we quantify the pulsar spindown for a range of compressions, R m /R LC = 1/3–1, and inclination angles, χ = 0°...90°, between magnetic and rotation axes. Our strongly confined models (R m /R LC = 1/3) show two distinct limits. For χ = 0°, the spindown of a compressed pulsar magnetosphere is enhanced by approximately a factor of three compared to an isolated pulsar due to the increased number of open magnetic field lines. Conversely, for χ = 90°, the compressed pulsar spins down at less than 40% of the rate of an isolated reference pulsar due to the mismatch between the pulsar wind stripe wavelength and the waveguide size. We apply our analysis to the 2.77 s oblique rotator (χ = 60°) in the double-pulsar system PSR J0737-3039. With the numerically derived spindown estimate, we constrain its surface magnetic field to B* ≈ (7.3 ± 0.2) × 10 11 G. We discuss the time modulation of its period derivative, the effects of compression on its braking index, and implications for the radio eclipse in PSR J0737-3039.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Magnetic Reconnection in High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas

Understanding the physics of collisionless, magnetized plasmas is key to unlocking a number of important problems in space and astrophysics. Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental mechanism which can explosively release stored magnetic energy, convert it to plasma heat and flows, and accelerate particles. In this project we developed technique and conducted experiments and simulations of magnetic reconnection in laser produces plasmas. Through this project, we also developed experimental techniques to generate magnetized collisionless shocks, and we therefore expanded the scope of the project to develop these experiments. These projects make fundamental progress on understanding the dynamics of magnetized laser-produced plasmas. In additional to plasma astrophysics, these results have broad interest for laboratory high energy density plasmas, since magnetic fields can be used to confine and control plasmas in many contexts and may offer new capabilities toward laboratory ignited plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Numerical Simulation of Electron Magnetohydrodynamics with Landau-quantized Electrons in Magnetar Crusts

Abstract In magnetar crusts, magnetic fields are sufficiently strong to confine electrons into a small to moderate number of quantized Landau levels. This can have a dramatic effect on the crust's thermodynamic properties, generating field-dependent de Haas–van Alphen oscillations. We previously argued that the large-amplitude oscillations of the magnetic susceptibility could enhance the ohmic dissipation of the magnetic field by continuously generating small-scale, rapidly dissipating field features. This could be important to magnetar field evolution and contribute to their observed higher temperatures. To study this, we performed quasi-3D numerical simulations of electron MHD in a representative volume of neutron star crust matter, for the first time including the magnetization and magnetic susceptibility resulting from Landau quantization. We find that the potential enhancement in the ohmic dissipation rate due to this effect can be a factor ∼3 for temperatures of the order of 10 8 K, and ∼4.5 for temperatures of the order of 5 × 10 7 K, depending on the magnetic field configuration. The nonlinear Hall term is crucial to this amplification: without it, the magnetic field decay is only enhanced by a factor ≲2 even at 5 × 10 7 K. These effects generate a high wavenumber plateau in the magnetic energy spectrum associated with the small-scale de Haas–van Alphen oscillations. Our results suggest that this mechanism could help explain the magnetar heating problem, though due to the effect's temperature-dependence, full magneto-thermal evolution simulations in a realistic stellar model are needed to judge whether it is viable explanation.

Rau, Peter B. (ORCID:0000000152209277)↗
DOE OSTI2019

Curl-free magnetic fields for stellarator optimization

This paper describes a new and efficient method of defining an annular region of a curl-free magnetic field with specific physics and coil properties that can be used in stellarator design. Three statements define the importance: (1) Codes can follow an optimized curl-free initial state to a final full-pressure equilibrium. The large size of the optimization space of stellarators, approximately 50 externally produced distributions of magnetic field, makes success in finding a global optimum largely determined by the starting point. (2) The design of a stellarator is actually improved when the central region of the plasma has rapid transport with the confinement provided by a surrounding annulus of magnetic surfaces with low transport. (3) The stellarator is unique among all fusion concepts, inertial as well as magnetic, in not using the plasma itself to provide an essential part of its confinement concept. This permits reliable computational design, which opens a path to faster, cheaper, and more certain achievement of fusion energy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Turbulence statistical analysis of the L-H transition and RMPs in KSTAR

Here, we investigate the turbulence statistics associated with low-to-high confinement (L-H) transitions and externally applied resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in KSTAR. Time-series fluctuations of electron density n e , electron temperature T e , and the time derivative of the poloidal magnetic field dB θ /dt (Mirnov coils) are analysed using information-geometric measures (information rate Γ and information length $\mathcal{L}$ = ∫ Γ dt), together with kurtosis κ and variance σ 2 . In low-density upper single-null plasmas (n e ~ 1.2 x 10 19 m -3 ), a ~80 kHz magnetic mode coupling n e , T e , dB θ /dt and emerges prior to the L-H transition and persists into the edge-localised modes H-mode. Edge-localised RMPs (ERMPs) suppress this coherent mode but enhance intermittency, producing frequent bursts that abruptly reshape the time-dependent probability density functions (PDFs) and generate large spikes in Γ (with smaller changes in κ), signalling ERMP-driven departures from quasi-stationarity. The impact of ERMPs on background fluctuation levels depends on density, radial location, and the fluctuating variable itself ($\tilde{n}$, $\tilde{T}$, $\dot{B}$ θ ), whereas $\mathcal{L}$ provides a robust, regime-agnostic measure of cumulative statistical reorganisation and spatial decorrelation. In particular, at low density we observe weaker coupling between $\tilde{n}$ and $\tilde{T}$, along with a tendency toward decreased radial correlation-most clearly for $\tilde{T}$-under ERMPs. Overall, information geometry cleanly captures intermittent events, quantifies non-equilibrium PDF evolution, and offers a compact, cross-diagnostic metric for assessing resonant magnetic perturbation effects on edge transport and correlation across densities, radial locations, and confinement states.

Kim, Eun-jin [Coventry Univ. (United Kingdom); Seo↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental confirmation of efficient island divertor operation and successful neoclassical transport optimization in Wendelstein 7-X

We present recent highlights from the most recent operation phases of Wendelstein 7-X, the most advanced stellarator in the world. Stable detachment with good particle exhaust, low impurity content, and energy confinement times exceeding 100 ms, have been maintained for tens of seconds. Pellet fueling allows for plasma phases with reduced ion-temperature-gradient turbulence, and during such phases, the overall confinement is so good (energy confinement times often exceeding 200 ms) that the attained density and temperature profiles would not have been possible in less optimized devices, since they would have had neoclassical transport losses exceeding the heating applied in W7-X. This provides proof that the reduction of neoclassical transport through magnetic field optimization is successful. W7-X plasmas generally show good impurity screening and high plasma purity, but there is evidence of longer impurity confinement times during turbulence-suppressed phases.

neoclassical optimization↗
DOE OSTI2022

Magnetized ICF implosions: Scaling of temperature and yield enhancement

This work investigates the impact of an applied magnetic field on the yield and hot-spot temperature of inertial confinement fusion implosions. A scaling of temperature amplification due to magnetization is shown to be in agreement with unperturbed two-dimensional (2D) extended-magnetohydrodynamic simulations. A perfectly spherical hot-spot with an axial magnetic field is predicted to have a maximum temperature amplification of 37%. However, elongation of the hot-spot along field lines raises this value by decreasing the hot-spot surface area along magnetic field lines. A scaling for yield amplification predicts that a magnetic field has the greatest benefit for low-temperature implosions; this is in agreement with simplified 1D simulations, but not 2D simulations where the hot-spot pressure can be significantly reduced by heat-flow anisotropy. Simulations including a P2 drive asymmetry then show that the magnetized yield is a maximum when the capsule drive corrects the hot-spot shape to be round at neutron bang time. An applied magnetic field is also found to be most beneficial for implosions that are more highly perturbed, exceeding the theoretical yield enhancement for symmetric hot-spots. Increasing the magnetic field strength past the value required to magnetize the electrons is beneficial due to the additional suppression of perturbations by magnetic tension.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Studies of Spinons, Majoranas, and Monopoles in Spin Liquid and Quantum Critical Magnets with Neutrons

Quantum and frustrated materials have eminent potential for the future with the promise of transformative properties in energy storage, conversion, and transmission as well as for new types of computing. Many of the new materials being explored are introduced to have highly unusual ground states that show quantum critical behavior or exotic disorder such as spin liquids. Intense interest is focused on the unusual types of fractionalized quasiparticles that these phases can support such as spin-1/2 spinons, Majorana fermions, and magnetic monopoles. Neutron scattering provides a remarkable tool for probing quantum and frustrated states of real magnetic system by measuring the structure and dynamics of atomic spins on the important energy scales involved. Here I review the signatures of these unusual quasiparticles and the evidence for them starting with quasi-1D magnets covering fractionalization of magnons into spinons, confinement effects, and three classes of quantum critical behavior. In 2D I report on the status of quantum spin liquids in triangular and Kagome magnets before considering the current evidence for exotic Majorana fermions in materials that approximate the Kitaev model. Following this I outline the current status of research into magnetic monopoles in 3D spin ice and the potential for emergent electrodynamics in quantum spin ice. Finally, I consider where new developments in materials, experiment, and theory and modeling could lead to new discoveries.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Extended capability of the integrated transport analysis suite, TASK3D-a, for LHD experiment

The integrated transport analysis suite, TASK3D-a (Analysis), has been developed to be capable for routine whole-discharge analyses of plasmas confined in three-dimensional (3D) magnetic configurations such as the LHD. The routine dynamic energy balance analysis for NBI-heated plasmas was made possible in the first version released in September 2012. The suite has been further extended through implementing additional modules for neoclassical transport and ECH deposition for 3D configurations. A module has also been added for creating systematic data for the International Stellarator–Heliotron Confinement and Profile Database. Improvement of neutral beam injection modules for multiple-ion species plasmas and loose coupling with a large-simulation code are also highlights of recent developments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

The time-dependent simulation of CFETR baseline steady-state scenarios

One of the key issues to achieve the phase I mission of China fusion engineering test reactor (CFETR) is steady-state operation with a modest fusion power up to 200 MW. To examine this feasibility, time-dependent modeling of CFETR baseline scenario is performed. The time-dependent scenario design examines actual discharge features, including auxiliary heating and current drive scheme, equilibrium, transport, PF coil systems and plasma control system during the plasma evolution. During plasma current ramp-up, 10 MW of EC or LH heating is used to effectively save volt–second consumption to a reasonable level within magnet coil capability and to reduce li for better plasma control. Three reference scenarios are designed to target full non-inductive operation with different external heating and current drive (H&CD), which are NB + EC, NB + LH, and LH + EC, respectively. Two scenarios with neutral beams reach the required fusion power of CFETR phase I target, while for LH + EC scenario the fusion power and confinement is somewhat lower. A reversed magnetic shear with q min > 2 is sustained with off-axis current drive and bootstrap current for all cases examined. Ideal MHD analysis shows that both large toroidal mode number n ballooning mode and low n kink mode are stable in the three reference cases independent of whether the current is totally relaxed or not. The L mode and H–L back transition ramp-down are designed to successfully reduce the plasma current to 2 MA and keep li below 2 with ramp-down rate of 80 kA s -1 . The H–L back transition ramp-down yields improvements in the power transfer and coil current evolution as well as the li evolution. The heating and current drive characteristics of three auxiliary heating sources are indicated by scanning studies. A 2D scan of NB energy and tangency radius indicates the features of NB power deposition, current drive, torque and shine through issue. Both ramp-up and flattop are considered in the scanning of radio frequency parameters. For EC waves, the ramp-up phase constrains the parameter space more. The 2D scan of EC launch angle shows that EC waves launched above the midplane yield a better CD efficiency than using a midplane launcher. Specifically, 10 MW of EC waves launched from LFS above the midplane yield a maximum on axis driven current of about 0.55 MA, while waves launched from top yield a maximum near edge driven current of about 0.45 MA in the region of ρ > 0.5. Scanning of n $\parallel$ in LH spectrum shows that n $\parallel$ should be set around 1.7 to get enough penetration (inside ρ = 0.7) for current drive and avoid strong accessibility problem. It is found that LH waves launched from HFS drives more current than that launched from LFS when n $\parallel$ is small. The maximum LH driven current reaches 1.1 MA with 10 MW of LH power launched from HFS.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dynamics of a reconnection-driven runaway ion tail in a reversed field pinch plasma

While reconnection-driven ion heating is common in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, the underlying mechanisms for converting magnetic to kinetic energy remain not fully understood. Reversed field pinch discharges are often characterized by rapid ion heating during impulsive reconnection, generating an ion distribution with an enhanced bulk temperature, mainly perpendicular to magnetic field. In the Madison Symmetric Torus, a subset of discharges with the strongest reconnection events develop a very anisotropic, high energy tail parallel to magnetic field in addition to bulk perpendicular heating, which produces a fusion neutron flux orders of magnitude higher than that expected from a Maxwellian distribution. Here, we demonstrate that two factors in addition to a perpendicular bulk heating mechanism must be considered to explain this distribution. First, ion runaway can occur in the strong parallel-to-B electric field induced by a rapid equilibrium change triggered by reconnection-based relaxation; this effect is particularly strong on perpendicularly heated ions which experience a reduced frictional drag relative to bulk ions. Second, the confinement of ions varies dramatically as a function of velocity. Whereas thermal ions are governed by stochastic diffusion along tearing-altered field lines (and radial diffusion increases with parallel speed), sufficiently energetic ions are well confined, only weakly affected by a stochastic magnetic field. High energy ions traveling mainly in the direction of toroidal plasma current are nearly classically confined, while counter-propagating ions experience an intermediate confinement, greater than that of thermal ions but significantly less than classical expectations. The details of ion confinement tend to reinforce the asymmetric drive of the parallel electric field, resulting in a very asymmetric, anisotropic distribution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗