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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2010

Gyrokinetic particle simulations of reversed shear Alfven eigenmode excited by antenna and fast ions

Global gyrokinetic particle simulations of reversed shear Alfven eigenmode (RSAE) have been successfully performed and verified. We have excited the RSAE by initial perturbation, by external antenna, and by energetic ions. The RSAE excitation by antenna provides verifications of the mode structure, the frequency, and the damping rate. When the kinetic effects of the background plasma are artificially suppressed, the mode amplitude shows a near-linear growth. With kinetic thermal ions, the mode amplitude eventually saturates due to the thermal ion damping. The damping rates measured from the antenna excitation and from the initial perturbation simulation agree very well. The RSAE excited by fast ions shows an exponential growth. The finite Larmor radius effects of the fast ions are found to significantly reduce the growth rate. With kinetic thermal ions and electron pressure, the mode frequency increases due to the elevation of the Alfven continuum by the geodesic compressibility. The nonperturbative contributions from the fast ions and kinetic thermal ions modify the mode structure relative to the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory. The gyrokinetic simulations have been benchmarked with extended hybrid MHD-gyrokinetic simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Measurements of the eigenfunction of reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes that sweep downward in frequency

Reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes (RSAEs) usually sweep upward in frequency when the minimum value of the safety factor q{sub min} decreases in time. On rare occasions, RSAEs sweep downward prior to the upward sweep. Electron cyclotron emission measurements show that the radial eigenfunction during the downsweeping phase is similar to the eigenfunction of normal, upsweeping RSAEs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Rotation profile flattening and toroidal flow shear reversal due to the coupling of magnetic islands in tokamaks

The electromagnetic coupling of helical modes, even those having different toroidal mode numbers, modifies the distribution of toroidal angular momentum in tokamak discharges. This can have deleterious effects on other transport channels as well as on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability and disruptivity. At low levels of externally injected momentum, the coupling of core-localized modes initiates a chain of events, whereby flattening of the core rotation profile inside successive rational surfaces leads to the onset of a large m/n = 2/1 tearing mode and locked-mode disruption. With increased torque from neutral beam injection, neoclassical tearing modes in the core may phase-lock to each other without locking to external fields or structures that are stationary in the laboratory frame. The dynamic processes observed in these cases are in general agreement with theory, and detailed diagnosis allows for momentum transport analysis to be performed, revealing a significant torque density that peaks near the 2/1 rational surface. However, as the coupled rational surfaces are brought closer together by reducing q{sub 95}, additional momentum transport in excess of that required to attain a phase-locked state is sometimes observed. Rather than maintaining zero differential rotation (as is predicted to be dynamically stable by single-fluid, resistive MHD theory), these discharges develop hollow toroidal plasma fluid rotation profiles with reversed plasma flow shear in the region between the m/n = 3/2 and 2/1 islands. The additional forces expressed in this state are not readily accounted for, and therefore, analysis of these data highlights the impact of mode coupling on torque balance and the challenges associated with predicting the rotation dynamics of a fusion reactor—a key issue for ITER.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Combined ideal and kinetic effects on reversed shear Alfven eigenmodes

A reversed shear Alfven eigenmodes (RSAEs) theory has been developed for reversed magnetic field shear plasmas when the safety factor minimum, q{sub min}, is at or above a rational value. The modes we study are known sometimes as either the bottom of the frequency sweep or the down sweeping RSAEs. We show that, strictly speaking, the ideal MHD theory is not compatible with the eigenmode solution in the reversed shear plasma with q{sub min} above integer values. Corrected by a special analytic finite Larmor radius (FLR) condition, MHD dispersion of these modes nevertheless can be developed. Numerically, MHD structure can serve as a good approximation for the RSAEs.The large radial scale part of the analytic RSAE solution can be obtained from ideal MHD and expressed in terms of the Legendre functions. The kinetic equation with FLR effects for the eigenmode is solved numerically and agrees with the analytic solutions. Properties of RSAEs and their potential implications for plasma diagnostics are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Combined Ideal and Kinetic Effects on Reversed Shear Alfven Eigenmodes

A theory of Reversed Shear Alfven Eigenmodes (RSAEs) is developed for reversed magnetic field shear plasmas when the safety factor minimum, qmin, is at or above a rational value. The modes we study are known sometimes as either the bottom of the frequency sweep or the down sweeping RSAEs. We show that the ideal MHD theory is not compatible with the eigenmode solution in the reversed shear plasma with qmin above integer values. Corrected by special analytic FLR condition MHD dispersion of these modes nevertheless can be developed. Large radial scale part of the analytic RSAE solution can be obtained from ideal MHD and expressed in terms of the Legendre functions. The kinetic equation with FLR effects for the eigenmode is solved numerically and agrees with the analytic solutions. Properties of RSAEs and their potential implications for plasma diagnostics are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Numerical study of compressibility effects on the reversed shear Alfvén eigenmode in tokamak plasma

Compressibility effects on the reversed shear Alfvén eigenmode in tokamak plasma are studied numerically. It is shown that compressibility is favorable for the existence of the reversed shear Alfvén eigenmode even without the pressure gradient, and the frequency of the reversed shear Alfvén eigenmode is modified by the geodesic frequency, which is consistent with an analytical theory.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Observation of Reversed-Shear Alfven Eigenmodes Excited by Energetic Ions in a Helical Plasma

Reversed-shear Alfven eigenmodes were observed for the first time in a helical plasma having negative q{sub 0}{sup ''} (the curvature of the safety factor q at the zero shear layer). The frequency is swept downward and upward sequentially via the time variation in the maximum of q. The eigenmodes calculated by ideal MHD theory are consistent with the experimental data. The frequency sweeping is mainly determined by the effects of energetic ions and the bulk pressure gradient. Coupling of reversed-shear Alfven eigenmodes with energetic ion driven geodesic acoustic modes generates a multitude of frequency-sweeping modes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Simulation of Alfv n frequency cascade modes in reversed shear discharges using a Landau-closure model

The dynamics of energetic particle destabilized Alfve n frequency sweeping modes in tokamak reversed-shear safety factor discharges are modelled using a new Landau-closure model that includes coupling to geodesic acoustic wave dynamics and closure relations optimized for energetic particle Alfve n mode resonances. Profiles and equilibria are based upon reconstructions of a DIII-D discharge (#142111) in which a long sequence of frequency sweeping modes were observed. This model (TAEFL) has recently been included in a verification and validation study of n = 3 frequency sweeping modes for this case along with two gyrokinetic codes, GTC and GYRO. This paper provides a more detailed documentation of the equations and methods used in the TAEFL model and extends the earlier calculation to a range of toroidal mode numbers: n = 2 to 6. By considering a range of toroidal mode numbers and scanning over a range of safety factor profiles with varying qmin, both up-sweeping frequency (reversed-shear Alfve n eigenmode) and down-sweeping frequency (toriodal Alfve n eigenmode) modes are present in the results and show qualitative similarity with the frequency variations observed in the experimental spectrograms.

shear-Alfven instabiltiy tokamak Landau-closure Al↗
DOE OSTI2025

Nonlinear Alfvén instability simulation and EP transport for ITER reversed shear (steady-state) and monotonic q-profile regimes *

The nonlinear evolution and dynamics of energetic particle (EP) driven instabilities in both steady-state (reversed shear q-profile) and monotonic q-profile regimes of ITER are examined using the global gyro-Landau closure model FAR3d. Both neutral beam and alpha components are included, leading to synergistic effects between the two populations. In order to maintain computational feasibility, the present nonlinear simulation includes all toroidal mode numbers ranging from n = 0 to 15. It cannot be excluded that n’s above this range could introduce larger linear growth rates; however, as indicated from the results, the n = 0 to 15 range is sufficient to provide a strong linear drive and significant nonlinear transport effects. While the toroidal mode numbers n = 6,13 dominate the linear instability growth phase, nonlinear energy transfers in the saturated phase reverse this trend, leading to the dominance of lower n’s in the saturated phase of the simulation. Zonal flow structure generation and EP density flattening are further consequences of the nonlinear phase. The density profile flattening is caused by collectively driven EP radial transport fluxes, which have non-local characteristics. Instantaneous alpha particle transport fluxes are significant (Γ α ~ 2 x 10 20 m –2 s –1 ) for the reversed shear regime and lower (Γ α ~ 1.1 x 10 20 m –2 s –1 ) for the monotonic q-profile case.

AE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Linear properties of reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes in the DIII-D tokamak

Linear properties of the reverse shear Alfvén eigenmode (RSAE) in a well-diagnosed DIII-D tokamak experiment (discharge #142111) are studied in gyrokinetic particle simulations. Simulations find that a weakly damped RSAE exists due to toroidal coupling and other geometric effects. The mode is driven unstable by density gradients of fast ions from neutral beam injection. Various damping and driving mechanisms are identified and measured in the simulations. Accurate damping and growth rate calculation requires a non-perturbative, fully self-consistent simulation to calculate the true mode structure. The mode structure has no up–down symmetry mainly due to the radial symmetry breaking by the density gradients of the fast ions, as measured in the experiment by electron cyclotron emission imaging. The RSAE frequency up-sweeping and the mode transition from RSAE to TAE (toroidal Alfvén eigenmode) are in good agreement with the experimental results when the values of the minimum safety factor are scanned in gyrokinetic simulations.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2015

Parallel equilibrium current effect on existence of reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes

A new fast global eigenvalue code, where the terms are segregated according to their physics contents, is developed to study Alfvén modes in tokamak plasmas, particularly, the reversed shear Alfvén eigenmode (RSAE). Numerical calculations show that the parallel equilibrium current corresponding to the kink term is strongly unfavorable for the existence of the RSAE. An improved criterion for the RSAE existence is given for with and without the parallel equilibrium current. In the limits of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and zero-pressure, the toroidicity effect is the main possible favorable factor for the existence of the RSAE, which is however usually small. This suggests that it is necessary to include additional physics such as kinetic term in the MHD model to overcome the strong unfavorable effect of the parallel current in order to enable the existence of RSAE.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Experimental Study of Reversed Shear Alfven Eigenmodes During The Current Ramp In The Alcator C-Mod Tokamak

Experiments conducted in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak at MIT have explored the physics of reversed shear Alfven eigenmodes (RSAEs) during the current ramp. The frequency evolution of the RSAEs throughout the current ramp provides a constraint on the evolution of qmin, a result which is important in transport modeling and for comparison with other diagnostics which directly measure the magnetic field line structure. Additionally, a scaling of the RSAE minimum frequency with the sound speed is used to derive a measure of the adiabatic index, a measure of the plasma compressibility. This scaling bounds the adiabatic index at 1.40 ± 0:15 used in MHD models and supports the kinetic calculation of separate electron and ion compressibilities with an ion adiabatic index close to 7~4.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nonlinear saturation of reverse shear Alfvén eigenmodes induced by kinetic electrons

A strong nonlinear saturation mechanism of the reverse shear Alfvén eigenmode (RSAE) induced by thermal electrons is observed in gyrokinetic $\delta$$f$ particle-in-cell simulation. This nonlinear effect occurs at moderate mode amplitude, $\delta$$B$ ⟂ /$B$ < 10 -3 , and is associated with the electron parallel streaming along the perturbed magnetic field lines, the term v $\|$ $\frac{δΒ_{⟂}}{B}$ ∙ ∇$\delta$$f$, in the electron drift-kinetic equation. In the case of an n = 4 RSAE, where n is the toroidal mode number, this magnetic fluttering nonlinearity leads to strong mode coupling and broadening of the saturation spectrum. The nonlinear components, which are highly damped through the interaction between thermal electrons and the parallel electric field, modifies the RSAE mode structure and suppresses energetic particle drive significantly. The split-weight scheme (Chen and Parker 2007 J. Comput. Phys. 220 839–55) is used to simulate kinetic electrons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1994

Bolted Structural Joint Sustains Reversing Shear Load

Bolted structural joint satisfies competing requirements to accommodate tolerances yet fits snugly to sustain reversing shear loads. Inner and outer eccentric bushings fit in shear block. Frictional force generated by bolt tension prevents rotation of bushings after assembly.

Mott, J. B.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Zonal structure effect on the nonlinear saturation of reverse shear Alfven eigenmodes

A gyrokinetic ion/fluid electron hybrid model is used to study the nonlinear evolution of reverse shear Alfven eigenmodes (RSAE) driven by energetic particles. When only the energetic particle nonlinear effects are included, the saturation amplitude of a single-n RSAE follows the trapping scaling, δB/B~(γ/ω) 2 . When the nonlinear effects of thermal ions and electrons are included, zonal structures are force generated but do not affect the saturation amplitude for γ/ω≤0.03. No spontaneous generation of zonal structures is observed, in contrast to ion-temperature-gradient-driven modes. At larger energetic particle drive, the effects of zonal structures cause a significant reduction in the RSAE saturation amplitude. The reduction is not caused by the zonal flow shearing of the RSAE, but by the force-generated n = 0 component in the thermal ion distribution function and the electron density. Finally, these n = 0 perturbations lead to nonlinear evolution of the RSAE mode structure and enhance damping.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Momentum transport in the vicinity of q{sub min} in reverse shear tokamaks due to ion temperature gradient turbulence

We present an analytic study of momentum transport of tokamak plasmas in the vicinity of minimum safety factor (q) position in reversed magnetic shear configuration. Slab ion temperature gradient modes with an equilibrium flow profile are considered in this study. Quasi-linear calculations of momentum flux clearly show the novel effects of q-curvature on the generation of intrinsic rotation and mean poloidal flow without invoking reflectional symmetry breaking of parallel wavenumber (k{sub ∥}). This q-curvature effect originates from the inherent asymmetry in k{sub ∥} populations with respect to a rational surface due to the quadratic proportionality of k{sub ∥} when q-curvature is taken into account. Discussions are made of possible implications of q-curvature induced plasma flows on internal transport barrier formation in reversed shear tokamaks.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cross-scale interaction between microturbulence and meso-scale reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes in DIII-D plasmas

Abstract This paper reports global nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations that couple meso-scale reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes (RSAEs) driven by energetic particles (EPs) and ion temperature gradient (ITG) microturbulence driven by thermal plasma, using equilibrium and profiles from DIII-D discharge #159243. In simulations focusing only on the ITG, electrostatic ITG drives a huge thermal ion heat transport, which is reduced by a factor of 10 to a level close to the experimental value in electromagnetic simulation due to finite β effect. In the simulations coupling the RSAE and ITG, ITG can scatter the resonant EP nonlinearly trapped by the RSAE and damp the zonal flows generated by the RSAE. The regulation of the RSAE by the ITG greatly reduces the initial saturation amplitude of the RSAE but increases the RSAE amplitude and associated EP transport to experimental levels in the quasi-steady state. The RSAE effects on the ITG, specifically the stronger zonal flows generated by the RSAE and the RSAE frequency modulation of the ITG-induced thermal ion heat transport, in turn, leads to a reduction of the thermal ion heat transport by more than a factor of 2 . For a stronger background ITG, the regulation of the RSAE by the ITG is stronger, while the RSAE effects on the ITG are weaker. This work highlights the importance of cross-scale coupling in the dynamics of the AE turbulence and EP transport.

Physics↗