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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 1,099 records · Page 61
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DOE OSTI2024

Constructing nested coordinates inside strongly shaped toroids using an action principle

A new approach for constructing polar-like boundary-conforming coordinates inside a toroid with strongly shaped cross-sections is presented. A coordinate mapping is obtained through a variational approach, which involves identifying extremal points of a proposed action in the mapping space from [0,2π] 2 ×[0,1] to a toroidal domain in $\mathbb{R}$ 3 . This approach employs an action built on the squared Jacobian and radial length. Extensive testing is conducted on general toroidal boundaries using a global Fourier–Zernike basis via action minimisation. The results demonstrate successful coordinate construction capable of accurately describing strongly shaped toroidal domains. The coordinate construction is successfully applied to the computation of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria in the GVEC code where the use of traditional coordinate construction by interpolation from the boundary failed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced surrogate model for electron-scale turbulence in tokamak pedestals

We derive an advanced surrogate model for predicting turbulent transport at the edge of tokamaks driven by electron temperature gradient (ETG) modes. Our derivation is based on a recently developed sensitivity-driven sparse grid interpolation approach for uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis at scale, which informs the set of parameters that define the surrogate model as a scaling law. Our model reveals that ETG-driven electron heat flux is influenced by the safety factor q, electron beta β e and normalized electron Debye length λ D , in addition to well-established parameters such as the electron temperature and density gradients. To assess the trustworthiness of our model's predictions beyond training, we compute prediction intervals using bootstrapping. The surrogate model's predictive power is tested across a wide range of parameter values, including within-distribution testing parameters (to verify our model) as well as out-of-bounds and out-of-distribution testing (to validate the proposed model). Overall, validation efforts show that our model competes well with, or can even outperform, existing scaling laws in predicting ETG-driven transport.

fusion plasma↗
DOE OSTI2025

Particle-based modelling of axisymmetric tandem mirror devices

In this work, we describe the use of a 1D-2V quasi-neutral hybrid electrostatic PIC with Monte-Carlo Coulomb collisions and non-uniform magnetic field to model the parallel transport and confinement in an axisymmetric tandem mirror device. End-plugs, based on simple-mirrors, are positioned at each end of the device and fueled with neutral beams (25 and 100 keV) to produce a sloshing ion population and increase the density of the end-plugs relative to the central cell. Results show the formation of a potential difference barrier between the central cell and the end-plugs. This potential confines a large fraction of the low energy thermal ions in the central cell which would otherwise be lost in a simple mirror, demonstrating the advantage of the beam-driven tandem mirror configuration relative to simple mirrors. In addition, we explore the effect of end-plug electron temperature on the confinement time of the device and compare it with theoretical estimates. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the code in its present form and describe the next logical steps to improve its predictive capability such as a fully nonlinear Fokker–Planck collision operator, multiply nested flux surface solutions and modeling the exhaust region up to the wall.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

MagNetUS: a magnetized plasma research ecosystem

MagNetUS is a network of scientists and research groups that coordinates and advocates for fundamental magnetized plasma research in the USA. Its primary goal is to bring together a broad community of researchers and the experimental and numerical tools they use in order to facilitate the sharing of ideas, resources and common tasks. Discussed here are the motivation and goals for this network and details of its formation, history and structure. An overview of associated experimental facilities and numerical projects is provided, along with examples of scientific topics investigated therein. Finally, a vision for the future of the organization is given.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced Collisional Losses from a Magnetic Mirror Using the Lenard-Bernstein Collision Operator

Collisions are crucial in governing particle and energy transport in plasmas confined in a magnetic mirror trap. Modern gyrokinetic codes model transport in magnetic mirrors, but some utilize approximate model collision operators. This study focuses on a Pastukhov-style method of images calculation of particle and energy confinement times using a Lenard-Bernstein model collision operator. Prior work on parallel particle and energy balances used a different Fokker-Planck plasma collision operator. The method must be extended in non-trivial ways to study the Lenard-Bernstein operator. To assess the effectiveness of our approach, we compare our results with a modern finite element solver. Our findings reveal that the particle confinement time scales like a exp( a 2 ) using the Lenard-Bernstein operator, in contrast to the more accurate scaling that the Coulomb collision operator would yield a 2 exp( a 2 ), where a 2 is approximately proportional to the ambipolar potential. We propose that codes solving for collisional losses in magnetic mirrors utilizing the Lenard-Bernstein or Dougherty collision operator scale their collision frequency of any electrostatically confined species. This study illuminates the collision operator’s intricate role in the Pastukhov-style method of images calculation of collisional confinement.

fusion plasma↗
DOE OSTI2025

The shear Alfvén continuum of quasisymmetric stellarators

The shear Alfvén wave (SAW) continuum plays a critical role in the stability of energetic particle-driven Alfvén eigenmodes. We develop a theoretical framework to analyze the SAW continuum in three-dimensional (3-D) quasisymmetric magnetic fields, focusing on its implications for stellarator design. By employing a near-axis model and degenerate perturbation theory, the continuum equation is solved, highlighting unique features in 3-D configurations, such as the interactions between spectral gaps. Numerical examples validate the theory, demonstrating the impact of flux-surface shaping and quasisymmetric field properties on continuum structure. The results provide insights into optimizing stellarator configurations to minimize resonance-driven losses of energetic particles. This work establishes a basis for incorporating Alfvénic stability considerations into the stellarator design process, demonstrated through optimization of a quasihelical configuration to avoid high-frequency spectral gaps.

fusion plasma↗
DOE OSTI2025

Bootstrap current modeling in M3D-C1

Bootstrap current plays a crucial role in the equilibrium of magnetically confined plasmas, particularly in quasi-symmetric stellarators and in tokamaks, where it can represent bulk of the electric current density. Accurate modeling of this current is essential for understanding the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium and stability of these configurations. This study expands the modeling capabilities of M3D-C1, an extended-MHD code, by implementing self-consistent physics models for bootstrap current. It employs two analytical frameworks: a generalized Sauter model (Sauter et al. 1999 Phys. Plasmas vol. 6, no. 7, pp. 2834–2839), and a revised Sauter-like model (Redl et al. 2021 Phys. Plasmas vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 022502). The isomorphism described by Landreman et al. (2022 Phys. Rev. Lett. vol. 128, pp. 035001) is employed to apply these models to quasi-symmetric stellarators. The implementation in M3D-C1 is benchmarked against neoclassical codes, including NEO, XGCa and SFINCS, showing excellent agreement. These improvements allow M3D-C1 to self-consistently calculate the neoclassical contributions to plasma current in axisymmetric and quasi-symmetric configurations, providing a more accurate representation of the plasma behavior in these configurations. A workflow for evaluating the neoclassical transport using SFINCS with arbitrary toroidal equilibria calculated using M3D-C1 is also presented. This workflow enables a quantitative evaluation of the error in the Sauter-like model in cases that deviate from axi- or quasi-symmetry (e.g. through the development of an MHD instability).

fusion plasma↗
DOE OSTI2026

Preheat effects in laser-driven Rayleigh–Taylor instability experiments at intensities greater than $10^{15}$ $\textrm{W}$ $\textrm{cm}^{-2}$ at OMEGA EP and the NIF

The propagation of high-energy X-rays or hot electrons have the potential to alter the initial conditions in experimental target designs, especially at material interfaces, for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high-energy density (HED) experimental platforms. Hot-electron preheat can drastically modify the initial conditions of experimental targets used to study the deceleration-stage Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) both with and without applied magnetic fields. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and quantify the impact of hot-electron preheat. The hydrodynamic (HD) capabilities in the Ares code are used to study the effects varying levels of preheat can have on RTI evolution. The experimental and computational studies presented in this work demonstrate that at high laser intensities of around or greater than 10 15 W cm −2 , there is hot-electron generation from laser plasma instabilities which induces substantial preheat and impacts the morphology of RTI evolution and even inhibits the intended RTI growth such that it is not observable experimentally. The necessity of better quantifying hot-electron induced preheat and mitigating its impact on such high-intensity direct-drive laser experiments in the future is discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

A novel conditional formulation of the Vlasov–Ampère equations: a conservative, positivity, asymptotic and Gauss law preserving scheme

We propose a novel reformulation of the Vlasov–Ampère equations for plasmas that reveals discrete symmetries that enables simultaneous conservation of mass, momentum and energy; preservation of Gauss’s law; positivity of the distribution function; and consistency with quasi-neutral asymptotics. The approach employs variable and coordinate transformations to yield a coupled system comprising a modified Vlasov equation and associated moment–field equations. The modified Vlasov equation advances a conditional distribution function that excludes mass, momentum and energy densities, which are instead evolved through moment equations enforcing the relevant symmetries, conservation laws and involution constraints. This reformulation aligns naturally with a recent slow-manifold reduction technique, which separates fast electron time scales and simplifies the treatment of the quasi-neutral limit within the reduced moment–field subsystem. Using this framework, we develop a numerical method for the reduced 1D1V subsystem that, for the first time in the literature, satisfies all key physical constraints while maintaining a quasi-neutral asymptotic behaviour. The advantages of the method are demonstrated on canonical electrostatic test problems, including the multiscale ion acoustic shock wave.

1D1V↗
DOE OSTI2026

Narrow operator models of stellarator equilibria in Fourier Zernike basis

Numerical computation of the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium magnetic field is at the base of stellarator optimisation and provides the starting point for solving more sophisticated partial differential equations like transport or turbulence models. Conventional approaches solve for a single stationary point of the ideal MHD equations, which is fully defined by three invariants and the numerical scheme employed by the solver. We present the first numerical approach that can solve for a continuous distribution of equilibria with fixed boundary and rotational transform, varying only the pressure invariant. This approach minimises the force residual by optimising parameters of multilayer perceptrons that map from a scalar pressure multiplier to the Fourier Zernike basis as implemented in the modern stellarator equilibrium solver DESC.

fusion plasma↗
DOE OSTI2015

On the study of threshold intensity dependence on the gain and loss processes in laser induced spark ignition of molecular hydrogen

In the present work, a numerical analysis is performed to investigate the comparative contribution of the mechanisms responsible for electron gain and losses in laser spark ignition and plasma formation of H{sub 2}. The analysis considered H{sub 2} over pressure range 150 -3000 torr irradiated by a Nd:YAG laser radiation at wavelengths 1064 and 532 nm with pulse length 5.5 ns. The study based on a modified electron cascade model by one of the authors which solves numerically the time dependent Boltzmann equation as well as a set of rate equations that describe the rate of change of the excited states population. The model includes most of the physical processes that might take place during the interaction. Computations of The threshold intensity are performed for the combined and separate contribution of each of the gain and loss processes. Reasonable agreement with the measured values over the tested pressure range is obtained only for the case of the combined contribution. Basing on the calculation of the electron energy distribution function, the determined relations of the time evolution of the electrons density for selected values of the tested gas pressure region revealed that photo-ionization of the excited states could determine the time of electron generation and hence spark ignition. Collisional ionization contributes to this phenomenon only at the high pressure regime. Loss processes due to electron diffusion, vibrational excitation are found to have significant effect over examined pressure values for the two applied laser wavelengths.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of secondary electron emission on the plasma sheath

In this experiment, plasma sheath potential profiles are measured over boron nitride walls in argon plasma and the effect of secondary electron emission is observed. Results are compared to a kinetic model. Plasmas are generated with a number density of 3 × 10{sup 12} m{sup −3} at a pressure of 10{sup −4} Torr-Ar, with a 1%–16% fraction of energetic primary electrons. The sheath potential profile at the surface of each sample is measured with emissive probes. The electron number densities and temperatures are measured in the bulk plasma with a planar Langmuir probe. The plasma is non-Maxwellian, with isotropic and directed energetic electron populations from 50 to 200 eV and hot and cold Maxwellian populations from 3.6 to 6.4 eV and 0.3 to 1.3 eV, respectively. Plasma Debye lengths range from 4 to 7 mm and the ion-neutral mean free path is 0.8 m. Sheath thicknesses range from 20 to 50 mm, with the smaller thickness occurring near the critical secondary electron emission yield of the wall material. Measured floating potentials are within 16% of model predictions. Measured sheath potential profiles agree with model predictions within 5 V (∼1 T{sub e}), and in four out of six cases deviate less than the measurement uncertainty of 1 V.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Single discharge of the matrix source of negative hydrogen ions: Influence of the neutral particle dynamics

The study presents two-dimensional (2D) fluid-plasma-model description of a planar-coil inductively-driven discharge, considered as a single element of a matrix source of volume-produced negative hydrogen ions. Whereas the models developed up to now have been directed towards description of the charged particle behavior in the discharge, including that of the negative ions, this model stresses on the role of the neutral particle dynamics and of the surface processes in the formation of the discharge structure. The latter is discussed based on comparison of results obtained for discharges in a flowing gas and at a constant gas pressure as well as for different values of the coefficient of atom recombination on the walls. The conclusions are that the main plasma parameters – electron density and temperature and plasma potential – determining the gas discharge regime stay stable, regardless of changes in the redistribution of the densities of the neutral particles and of the positive ions. With regards to the volume production of the ions, which requires high density of (vibrationally excited) molecules, the impact on the degree of dissociation of the coefficient of atom recombination on the wall is discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Study of the negative ion extraction mechanism from a double-ion plasma in negative ion sources

We have developed a 2D3V-PIC model of the extraction region, aiming to clarify the basic extraction mechanism of H{sup −} ions from the double-ion plasma in H{sup −} negative ion sources. The result shows the same tendency of the H{sup −} ion density n{sub H{sup −}} as that observed in the experiments, i.e.,n{sub H{sup −}} in the upstream region away from the plasma meniscus (H{sup −} emitting surface) has been reduced by applying the extraction voltage. At the same time, relatively slow temporal oscillation of the electric potential compared with the electron plasma frequency has been observed in the extraction region. Results of the systematic study using a 1D3V-PIC model with the uniform magnetic field confirm the result that the electrostatic oscillation is identified to be lower hybrid wave. The effect of this oscillation on the H{sup −} transport will be studied in the future.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Basic knowledge on radiative and transport properties to begin in thermal plasmas modelling

This paper has for objectives to present the radiative and the transport properties for people beginning in thermal plasmas. The first section will briefly recall the equations defined in numerical models applied to thermal plasmas; the second section will particularly deal with the estimation of radiative losses; the third part will quickly present the thermodynamics properties; and the last part will concern the transport coefficients (thermal conductivity, viscosity and electrical conductivity of the gas or mixtures of gases). We shall conclude the paper with a discussion about the validity of these results the lack of data for some specific applications, and some perspectives concerning these properties for non-equilibrium thermal plasmas.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Correlations between quasi-coherent fluctuations and the pedestal evolution during the inter-edge localized modes phase on DIII-D

Direct measurements of the pedestal recovery during an edge-localized mode cycle provide evidence that quasi-coherent fluctuations (QCFs) play a role in the inter-ELM pedestal dynamics. Using fast Thomson scattering measurements, the pedestal density and temperature evolutions are probed on sub-millisecond time scales to show a fast recovery of the density gradient compared to the temperature gradient. The temperature gradient appears to provide a drive for the onset of quasi-coherent fluctuations (as measured with the magnetic probe and the density diagnostics) localized in the pedestal. The amplitude evolution of these QCFs tracks the temperature gradient evolution including its saturation. Such correlation suggests that these QCFs play a key role in limiting the pedestal temperature gradient. The saturation of the QCFs coincides with the pressure gradient reaching the kinetic-ballooning mode (KBM) critical gradient as predicted by EPED1. Furthermore, linear microinstability analysis using GS2 indicates that the steep gradient is near the KBM threshold. Thus, the modeling and the observations together suggest that QCFs are consistent with dominant KBMs, although microtearing cannot be excluded as subdominant.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

On the pressure effect in energetic deposition of Cu thin films by modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering: A global plasma model and experiments

The modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering (MPPMS) discharge processes are numerically modeled and experimentally investigated, in order to explore the effect of the pressure on MPPMS discharges as well as on the microstructure of the deposited thin films. A global plasma model has been developed based on a volume-averaged global description of the ionization region, considering the loss of electrons by cross-B diffusion. The temporal variations of internal plasma parameters at different pressures from 0.1 to 0.7 Pa are obtained by fitting the model to duplicate the experimental discharge data, and Cu thin films are deposited by MPPMS at the corresponding pressures. The surface morphology, grain size and orientation, and microstructure of the deposited thin films are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. By increasing the pressure from 0.1 to 0.7 Pa, both the ion bombardment energy and substrate temperature which are estimated by the modeled plasma parameters decrease, corresponding to the observed transition of the deposited thin films from a void free structure with a wide distribution of grain size (zone T) into an underdense structure with a fine fiber texture (zone 1) in the extended structure zone diagram (SZD). The microstructure and texture transition of Cu thin films are well-explained by the extended SZD, suggesting that the primary plasma processes are properly incorporated in the model. The results contribute to the understanding of the characteristics of MPPMS discharges, as well as its correlation with the microstructure and texture of deposited Cu thin films.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Simulative research on the anode plasma dynamics in the high-power electron beam diode

Anode plasma generated by electron beams could limit the electrical pulse-length, modify the impedance and stability of diode, and affect the generator to diode power coupling. In this paper, a particle-in-cell code is used to study the dynamics of anode plasma in the high-power electron beam diode. The effect of gas type, dynamic characteristic of ions on the diode operation with bipolar flow model are presented. With anode plasma appearing, the amplitude of diode current is increased due to charge neutralizations of electron flow. The lever of neutralization can be expressed using saturation factor. At same pressure of the anode gas layer, the saturation factor of CO{sub 2} is bigger than the H{sub 2}O vapor, namely, the generation rate of C{sup +} ions is larger than the H{sup +} ions at the same pressure. The transition time of ions in the anode-cathode gap could be used to estimate the time of diode current maximum.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗