Showing papers in "Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion in 2006"

Ionization state, excited populations and emission of impurities in dynamic finite density plasmas: I. The generalized collisional-radiative model for light elements

Abstract: The paper presents an integrated view of the population structure and its role in establishing the ionization state of light elements in dynamic, finite density, laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. There are four main issues, the generalized collisional-radiative picture for metastables in dynamic plasmas with Maxwellian free electrons and its particularizing to light elements, the methods of bundling and projection for manipulating the population equations, the systematic production/use of state selective fundamental collision data in the metastable resolved picture to all levels for collisonal-radiative modelling and the delivery of appropriate derived coefficients for experiment analysis. The ions of carbon, oxygen and neon are used in illustration. The practical implementation of the methods described here is part of the ADAS Project.

Investigation of geodesic acoustic mode oscillations in the T-10 tokamak

Abstract: Geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) were investigated on the T-10 tokamak using heavy ion beam probe, correlation reflectometry and multipin Langmuir probe diagnostics. Regimes with Ohmic heating and with on- and off-axis ECRH were studied. It was shown that GAMs are mainly the potential oscillations. Typically, the power spectrum of the oscillations has the form of a solitary quasi-monochromatic peak with the contrast range 3–5. They are the manifestation of the torsional plasma oscillations with poloidal wavenumber m = 0, called zonal flows. The frequency of GAMs changes in the region of observation and decreases towards the plasma edge. After ECRH switch-on, the frequency increases, correlating with growth in the electron temperature Te. The frequency of the GAMs depends on the local Te as , which is consistent with a theoretical scaling for GAM, where cs is the sound speed within a factor of unity. The GAMs on T-10 are found to have density limit, some magnetic components and an intermittent character. They tend to be more excited near low-q magnetic surfaces.

Interchange turbulence in the TCV scrape-off layer

Abstract: Probe measurements of electrostatic plasma fluctuations in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of the TCV tokamak are compared with the results from two-dimensional interchange turbulence simulations. Excellent agreement is found for both the radial variation of statistical moments and temporal correlations, clearly indicating that turbulent transport in the tokamak SOL is due to radial advection of blob-like filamentary structures. This offers an explanation both for the basic mechanism driving the anomalous SOL particle transport and the now commonly observed broad particle density profiles, extending deep into the SOL and thought to be the cause of high levels of main chamber plasma-wall interactions.

Filament structures at the plasma edge on MAST

Abstract: The boundary of the tokamak core plasma, or scrape-off layer, is normally characterized in terms of average parameters such as density, temperature and e-folding lengths suggesting diffusive losses. However, as is shown in this paper, localized filamentary structures play an important role in determining the radial efflux in both L mode and during edge localized modes (ELMs) on MAST. Understanding the size, poloidal and toroidal localization and the outward radial extent of these filaments is crucial in order to calculate their effect on power loading both on the first wall and the divertor target plates in future devices. The spatial and temporal evolution of filaments observed on MAST in L-mode and ELMs have been compared and contrasted in order to confront the predictions of various models that have been proposed to predict filament propagation and in particular ELM energy losses.

Experiments with lithium limiter on T-11M tokamak and applications of the lithium capillary-pore system in future fusion reactor devices

Abstract: The paper is an overview of recent results of Li limiter testing in T-11M tokamak. The lithium limiter is based on the capillary-pore system (CPS) concept. The Li erosion process and deuterium (D2) and helium (He) sorption by Li first wall were investigated. The ability of capillary forces to confine the liquid Li in the CPS limiter during disruption was demonstrated. The idea of combined lithium limiter with thin (0.6 mm) CPS coating as a solution of the heat removal problem was realized. As a result the quasi steady-state tokamak regime with duration up to 0.3 s and clean (Zeff = 1) deuterium plasma has been achieved. The temporal evolution of the lithium surface temperature during discharge was measured by a IR radiometer and then was recalculated to the surface power load. For the estimation of the Li limiter erosion the Li neutral and ions spectral line emission were observed. The increase in lithium erosion as a result of limiter heating was discovered. The radial distribution of plasma column radiation measurements showed up to 90% of the total radiation losses in a relatively thin (5 cm) boundary layer and only 10% in a plasma centre during discharges with high Li influx. Oscillations of Li emission and saw-tooth-like oscillations of the limiter surface temperature have been detected in discharge regimes with highest Li limiter temperature (>600 °C). A version of Li CPS first wall of DEMO reactor and Li CPS limiter experiment in the International Thermonuclear Energy Reactor are suggested.

Geodesic–acoustic-mode in JFT-2M tokamak plasmas

Abstract: The characteristics of geodesic–acoustic-mode (GAM) are investigated through direct and simultaneous measurement of electrostatic and density fluctuations with a heavy ion beam probe.The amplitude of the GAM changes in relation to the radial position; it is small near the separatrix, reaches a local maximum at 3 cm inside the separatrix and then decreases again to 5 cm inside the separatrix. The frequency is constant in the range, though the predicted GAM frequency varies according to the temperature gradient. The correlation length is about 6 cm and comparable to the structure of the amplitude of the GAM. The results indicate the GAM has a radial structure which reflects the local condition at about 3 m inside the separatrix.The phase relation between the GAM oscillation indicates that the GAM is a radial propagating wave.The interaction between the GAM and the ambient density fluctuation is shown by the high coherence between the GAM oscillation and the temporal behaviour of the ambient density fluctuation. Moreover, the phase relation between the electric field fluctuation of the GAM ( ) and the amplitude of the density fluctuation indicates that the modulation of the ambient density fluctuation delays the . The causality between the GAM and the modulation of the density fluctuation is revealed.

Magneto-hydrodynamic stability of the H-mode transport barrier as a model for edge localized modes: an overview*

Abstract: The progress that has been made in understanding the processes responsible for edge localized modes is reviewed. Attention is restricted to the role of ideal magneto-hydrodynamics and extensions of this model. As well as reviewing the current understanding, future research needs are discussed and speculative ideas for further development are proposed.

A model of ELM filament energy evolution due to parallel losses

Abstract: In this paper, two simplified models of edge localized mode (ELM) power exhaust are developed, one based on the kinetic and the other on the fluid treatment of parallel losses. These models are found to capture many (though not all) of the salient features of kinetic simulations at substantial savings in both cost and complexity (CPU time in seconds versus days), making them ideal as real time interpretive tools or as modules in non-linear MHD, transport and/or turbulence codes. The kinetic model offers analytic expressions for the ion and electron powers deposited on the divertor, parametrized in terms of transient sheath energy transmission coefficients γi and γe, in good agreement with particle-in-cell simulations. The fluid model successfully reproduces ELM filament densities and electron energies measured at the outer poloidal limiter on JET, as well as recent measurements of ELM filament ion energies in the JET far-scrape-off layer (SOL). Taking confidence from this favourable comparison, the same model is then used to predict ion impact energies due to the incidence of Type-I ELM filaments on the ITER limiter. Although the models are applied here exclusively to ELMs, they have a potential application to other tokamak transients, such as intermittent SOL bursts and the disruption thermal quench.

Collisionless ion drag force on a spherical grain

Abstract: The ion drag force on a spherical grain situated in a flowing collisionless plasma is obtained from the specialized coordinate electrostatic particle and thermals in cell simulation code (SCEPTIC) (Hutchinson 2002 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 44 1953, Hutchinson 2003 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 45 1477, Hutchinson 2005 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 47 71) and compared with recent analytic approximate treatments in the interesting and relevant case when the Debye length is only moderately larger than the sphere radius. There is a substantial complex structure in the results for transonic flows, which is explained in terms of the details of ion orbits. Naturally the prior analytic approximations miss this structure, and as a result they seriously underestimate the drag for speeds near the sound speed. An easy-to-evaluate expression for force is provided that fits the comprehensive results of the code. This expression, with minor modification, also fits the results even for Debye length much smaller than the sphere radius.

Gamma ray diagnostics of high temperature magnetically confined fusion plasmas

Abstract: A review of the use of gamma ray spectrometry as a diagnostic of nuclear reaction rates and nuclear reaction product densities in high temperature fusion plasmas is presented. In this review we will discuss the historic genesis of the concept, a brief overview of the relevant nuclear physics, the experimental techniques utilized in the measurements and some of the analytical techniques required to extract the diagnostic information from the basic measurements. Of particular interest is the ability to measure the population of confined fast alpha particles in future burning plasma experiments.

Modelling energetic particles by a relativistic kappa-loss-cone distribution function in plasmas

Abstract: Energetic particles found in planetary magnetospheres and other plasmas, where mirror geometries occur, often exhibit two typical characteristics: a pronounced high energy tail and an anisotropy. A relativistic kappa-loss-cone (KLC) distribution function f(kappa L) is initially developed which incorporates features of the well-known kappa type and loss-cone type, i.e. the anisotropy behaves as a loss-cone distribution; the energy satisfies proportional to [1/nu(2)]((kappa,1)) for a relatively large velocity nu as a kappa distribution f(kappa) does and spreads proportional to [1/p](kappa+1) at the relativistic energies (where kappa and p are the energy spectral index and the particle momentum, respectively). This indicates that the new distribution f(kappa L) obeys the power-law not only at the lower energies but also at the relativistic energies since the relativistic energy proportional to p. Numerical calculations are performed for a direct comparison between the new KLC distribution and the current kappa distribution, respectively. It is found that the regular kappa distribution generally decreases faster than the KLC distribution with the kinetic energy E-k especially when theta(2) increases (where theta(2) is the energy weight parameter), e-g. f(kappa)/f(kappa L) = 2.0 MeV and theta(2) >= 0.25. However, no big difference occurs between both distributions through energies up to similar to 500 keV for theta(2) <= 0.025. Furthermore, the regular kappa distribution containing either the temperature anisotropy or both the loss cone and temperature anisotropy is quite different from the KLC distribution. The new KLC distribution may be applicable to the outer radiation belts of the Earth, the inner Jovian magnetosphere and other plasmas (including the laboratory machine) where relativistic particles are present.

Structure and scaling properties of the geodesic acoustic mode

Abstract: Characteristics and scaling properties of the geodesic acoustic mode (GAM), a coherent, radially-sheared high frequency (~15?kHz) zonal flow oscillation, are studied systematically using time-delay-estimation techniques applied to localized, multi-point density fluctuation measurements obtained by beam emission spectroscopy on DIII-D. The GAM amplitude is shown to increase strongly with increasing safety factor, q95, and to likewise become undetectably small for q95 < 4.2, qualitatively consistent with theoretical predictions based on collisional damping as well as simulations. The radial structure of the GAM exhibits peak amplitude in the radial range 0.88 < r/a < 0.95 with a rapid amplitude reduction inside and outside this region. The measured frequency is close to the predicted frequency, though some deviation to higher frequency is observed at lower q. The GAM amplitude is also shown to increase with plasma elongation, ?, while its frequency decreases.

Observation of turbulent-driven shear flow in a cylindrical laboratory plasma device

Abstract: A turbulent-generated azimuthally symmetric radially sheared plasma fluid flow is observed in a cylindrical magnetized helicon plasma device with no external sources of momentum input. A turbulent momentum conservation analysis shows that this shear flow is sustained against dissipation by the turbulent Reynolds stress generated by collisional drift fluctuations in the device. In the wavenumber domain this process is manifested via a nonlinear transfer of energy from small scales to larger scales. Simulations of collisional drift turbulence in this device have also been carried out and clearly show the formation of a shear flow quantitatively similar to that observed experimentally. The results integrate experiment and first-principle simulations and validate the basic theoretical picture of drift-wave/shear flow interactions.

Fast electron transport in laser-produced plasmas and the KALOS code for solution of the Vlasov–Fokker–Planck equation

Abstract: In solid targets irradiated by short pulse high intensity lasers, fast electrons have collision times longer than the laser pulse duration and mean free paths much larger than the radius of the laser spot. In these conditions, fast electron transport is dominated by electric and magnetic field. Although the fast electrons are collisionless, collisions of background electrons determine the ability of the background plasma to carry the return current which balances the fast electron current. Hence collisions are important even in this regime. A successful numerical simulation has to be able to model a plasma in which some electrons are collisionless and others are strongly collisional. An expansion of the electron distribution in spherical harmonics in momentum space is well suited to this, and we describe the formulation of the Vlasov?Fokker?Planck equation in terms of spherical harmonics and its solution in our KALOS code. We review the physics that must be modelled in a numerical simulation of fast electron transport and then describe KALOS.

Pedestal conditions for small ELM regimes in tokamaks

Abstract: Several small/no ELM regimes such as EDA, grassy ELM, HRS, QH-mode, type II and V ELMs with good confinement properties have been obtained in Alcator C-Mod, ASDEX-Upgrade, DIII-D, JET, JFT-2M, JT-60U and NSTX. All these regimes show considerable reduction of instantaneous ELM heat load onto divertor target plates in contrast to conventional type I ELM, and ELM energy losses are evaluated as less than 5% of the pedestal stored energy. These small/no ELM regimes are summarized and widely categorized by their pedestal conditions in terms of the operational space in non-dimensional pedestal parameters and requirement of plasma shape/configuration. The characteristics of edge fluctuations and activities of ideal MHD stability leading to small/no ELMs are also summarized.

SOLPS modelling of ASDEX upgrade H-mode plasma

Abstract: A low density H-mode plasma has been selected for detailed inter-ELM modelling by the SOLPS code package, with the coupled treatment of its plasma (fluid code B2) and neutral (Monte-Carlo code Eirene) parts. Good quality measured midplane density and temperature profiles, covering the pedestal region and stretching far into the SOL, as well as several other parameters and profiles measured in the divertor, have enabled testing the consistency of code solutions with experiment. Once the upstream, midplane profiles have been fitted, and the global parameters (e.g. input power into the computational grid, radiated power) matched, the code reproduces experimental profiles and control parameters in the divertor with an accuracy within a factor of 2. Deviations of modelled parameters from the experiment were found around the strike point position where most of the power was deposited on the target. The deviations are consistent among themselves and all point to one common problem with the modelling: the predicted divertor electron temperature is too low and the density too high, compared with the experiment. The largest inconsistency between the code and experiment was in the magnitude of the peak Hα radiation in the outer divertor, which was larger by a factor of 2 in the code simulations. In addition, the code predicts a somewhat higher sub-divertor neutral flux but lower carbon impurity content in the edge plasma than in the experiment, as well as lower CIII emission. The discrepancy between Hα profiles can to a large degree be attributed to profile effects: the simulated Hα emission profiles are narrower than in the experiment, reflecting the tendency of the neutral–plasma mix to congregate excessively around the strike point in the modelling. At the same time, the integrated Hα emission matches very well with the experiment.Extensive sensitivity studies of the influence of variations in input parameters and assumptions of the code on the modelled divertor conditions have been conducted. They have not resulted in an identification of any SOLPS input/control parameters capable of removing the main disagreement between the code output and experiment. A possibility of parallel transport effects related to low collisionality to increase the effective plasma temperature near the strike point position or of increased perpendicular transport by neutrals (due to some missing reactions in Eirene) to widen the target profiles, will be explored in the future.

Toroidal plasma rotation in the TCV tokamak

Abstract: The first toroidal rotation measurements in TCV ohmic L-mode plasmas with no external momentum injection are presented. The toroidal velocity profile of the fully stripped carbon species is measured by active Charge eXchange Recombination Spectroscopy with a temporal resolution of typically 90 ms and a spatial resolution of 2.5 cm, about 1/10 of the plasma radius. The observed carbon velocity is of the order of the deuterium diamagnetic drift velocity and up to 1/5 of the deuterium thermal velocity. It is directed opposite to plasma current in the electron diamagnetic toroidal drift direction. The profile reverses when reversing the plasma current. The angular velocity profile is flat, or hollow, inside the sawtooth inversion radius and decreases quasi linearly towards the plasma edge. By vertically shifting the plasma magnetic axis within the TCV vessel the plasma edge velocity profile was measured with high resolution. Such experiments confirm that, close to the limiter, the stationary rotation velocity is close to zero or somewhat positive (co-current directed). This suggests that the angular momentum is not driven from the plasma edge. The maximum carbon velocity scales as v(phi,Max) [km s(-1)] = -12.5T(i)/I-p [eV/kA] for a significant range of densities and values of the edge safety factor. Comparison with neoclassical predictions show that the TCV plasma rotation is mainly driven by radial electric fields, with a negligible contribution from the toroidal electric fields. The neoclassical theory of small toroidal rotation quantitatively and qualitatively disagrees with the experimental observation. An alternative empirical equation for the angular momentum flux, able to reproduce the measured stationary profile outside the inversion radius, is proposed.

Physics of burning plasmas in toroidal magnetic confinement devices

Abstract: Some of the crucial physics aspects of burning plasmas magnetically confined in toroidal systems are presented from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamics. Most of the discussions specifically refer to tokamaks, but they can be readily extended to other toroidal confinement devices. Particular emphasis is devoted to fluctuation induced transport processes of mega electron volts energetic ions and charged fusion products as well as to energy and particle transports of the thermal plasma. Long time scale behaviours due to the interplay of fast ion induced collective effects and plasma turbulence are addressed in the framework of burning plasmas as complex self-organized systems. The crucial roles of mutual positive feedbacks between theory, numerical simulation and experiment are shown to be the necessary premise for reliable extrapolations from present day laboratory to burning plasmas. Examples of the broader applications of fundamental problems to other fields of plasma physics and beyond are also given.

Progress in symmetric ICF capsule implosions and wire-array z-pinch source physics for double-pinch-driven hohlraums

Abstract: Over the last several years, rapid progress has been made evaluating the double-z-pinch indirect-drive, inertial confinement fusion (ICF) high-yield target concept (Hammer et al 1999 Phys. Plasmas 6 2129). We have demonstrated efficient coupling of radiation from two wire-array-driven primary hohlraums to a secondary hohlraum that is large enough to drive a high yield ICF capsule. The secondary hohlraum is irradiated from two sides by z-pinches to produce low odd-mode radiation asymmetry. This double-pinch source is driven from a single electrical power feed (Cuneo et al 2002 Phys. Rev. Lett. 88 215004) on the 20 MA Z accelerator. The double z-pinch has imploded ICF capsules with even-mode radiation symmetry of 3.1 ± 1.4% and to high capsule radial convergence ratios of 14–21 (Bennett et al 2002 Phys. Rev. Lett. 89 245002; Bennett et al 2003 Phys. Plasmas 10 3717; Vesey et al 2003 Phys. Plasmas 10 1854). Advances in wire-array physics at 20 MA are improving our understanding of z-pinch power scaling with increasing drive current. Techniques for shaping the z-pinch radiation pulse necessary for low adiabat capsule compression have also been demonstrated.

Present status of the FIREX programme for the demonstration of ignition and burn

Abstract: The recent fast heating of a compressed core to 0.8–1 keV temperature as well as the previous high-density compression of 600 times liquid density have provided proof-of-principle of the fast ignition (FI) concept. These results have significantly contributed to official approval of the first phase of the FI realization experiment (FIREX) project. The goal of FIREX-I is to demonstrate fast heating of a fusion fuel up to the ignition temperature of 5–10 keV. Although the fuel of FIREX-I is too small to be actually ignited, sufficient heating will provide the scientific viability of ignition and burn by increasing the laser energy, thereby increasing the fuel size. The FIREX programme is being carried out in collaboration with the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University and the National Institute for Fusion Science, including the development of cryogenic targets, holistic simulation systems and diagnostic equipment.

Tritium retention in next step devices and the requirements for mitigation and removal techniques

Abstract: Mechanisms underlying the retention of fuel species in tokamaks with carbon plasma-facing components are presented, together with estimates for the corresponding retention of tritium in ITER. The consequential requirement for new and improved schemes to reduce the tritium inventory is highlighted and the results of ongoing studies into a range of techniques are presented, together with estimates of the tritium removal rate in ITER in each case. Finally, an approach involving the integration of many tritium removal techniques into the ITER operational schedule is proposed as a means to extend the period of operations before major intervention is required.

Internal transport barriers: critical physics issues?*

Abstract: Plasmas regimes with improved core energy confinement properties, i.e. with internal transport barriers (ITB), provide a possible route towards simultaneous high fusion performance and continuous tokamak reactor operation in a non-inductive current drive state. High core confinement regimes should be made compatible with a dominant fraction of the plasma current self-generated (pressure-driven) by the bootstrap effect while operating at high normalized pressure and moderate current. Furthermore, ITB regimes with 'non-stiff' plasma core pressure break the link observed in standard inductive operation between fusion performances and plasma pressure at the edge, thus offering a new degree of freedom in the tokamak operational space. Prospects and critical issues for using plasmas with enhanced thermal core insulation as a basis for steady tokamak reactor operation are reviewed in the light of the encouraging experimental and modelling results obtained recently (typically in the last two years). An extensive set of data from experiments carried out worldwide has been gathered on ITB regimes covering a wide range of parameters (q-profile, T i /T e , gradient length, shaping, normalized toroidal Larmor radius, collisionality, Mach number, etc). In the light of the progress made recently, the following critical physics issues relevant to the extrapolation of ITB regimes to next-step experiments, such as ITER, are addressed: (i) conditions for ITB formation and existence of a power threshold, (ii) ITB sustainment at T i ∼ T e , with low toroidal torque injection, low central particle fuelling but at high density and low impurity concentration, (iii) control of confinement for sustaining wide ITBs that encompass a large volume at high β N , (iv) real time profile control (q and pressure) with high bootstrap current and large fraction of alpha-heating and (v) compatibility of core with edge transport barriers or with external core perturbations (such as frozen hydrogen isotope pellets injection). It is shown that the present experimental results provide some valuable and promising answers to these critical issues.

Active MHD control experiments in RFX-mod

Abstract: The RFX reversed field pinch experiment has been modified (RFX-mod) to address specific issues of active control of MHD instabilities. A thin shell (τBv~50 ms) has replaced the old thick one (τBv~500 ms) and 192 (4 poloidal × 48 toroidal) independently powered saddle coils surround the thin shell forming a cage completely covering the torus. This paper reports the results obtained during the first year of operation. The system has been used with various control scenarios including experiments on local radial field cancellation over the entire torus surface to mimic an ideal wall ('virtual shell') and on single and multiple mode feedback control. Successful virtual shell operation has been achieved leading to: a 3-fold increase in pulse length and well controlled 300 ms pulses(~6 shell times) up to ~1 MA plasma current; one order of magnitude reduction of the dominant radial field perturbations at the plasma edge and correspondingly 100% increase in global energy confinement time. Robust feedback stabilization of resistive wall modes has been demonstrated in conditions where rotation does not play a role and multiple unstable modes are present.

Effect of a laser prepulse on fast ion generation in the interaction of ultra-short intense laser pulses with a limited-mass foil target

Abstract: Fast electrons generated in ultra-intense laser interaction with a solid target can produce multi-MeV ions from laser-induced plasmas. These fast ions can have different applications ranging from ion implantation to nuclear reactions. The most important parameter is the efficiency of fast ion production. An analytical model and particle-in-cell simulations were employed to examine acceleration mechanisms that can provide an optimal plasma density distribution due to a laser prepulse. We considered the acceleration of ions leaving a plasma layer with different density gradients, from a step-like overdense plasma to an underdense plasma with a smooth density gradient. The effects of the plasma initial scale length and density on the ion acceleration were analysed, and we found that the optimal case should have some plasma parameters. It is shown that overdense plasmas provide a higher density of accelerated ion energy than underdense plasmas at intensities below 1019 W cm−2.

Progress in plasma focus research and applications

Abstract: An analysis of the current state of the plasma focus (PF) research is presented. Some new opportunities for the use of PF in studies on high-energy-density physics are discussed. The main attention is paid to the results obtained on one of the world's largest PF-type facilities PF-3 at the Kurchatov Institute. Experimental results of the studies of foam liners and the tungsten wire arrays dynamics in the PF discharge are presented. A new approach to load formation using a cloud of free fine-disperse particles of condensed matter (dust) is proposed. Being a source of additional mass, the dust particles essentially affect the development of MHD and RT instabilities. It is manifested, in particular, in an increase in MHD stability. The main tendencies in PF research, including application problems, are discussed.

Materials for fusion power reactors

Abstract: The present paper reviews the status of the knowledge on materials for fusion power plants, pointing out that they constitute one of the main key issues on the path to future reactors. Specific issues concerning plasma-facing materials, functional materials and structural materials are successively reviewed. The main candidate materials are presented, with emphasis on the remaining open issues in the field of selection and qualification of materials for fusion power reactors.

Effects of ripple loss of fast ions on toroidal rotation in JT-60U

Abstract: The driving mechanism of toroidal rotation and the momentum transport are studied on JT-60U in relation to the toroidal rotation in the direction antiparallel to the plasma current, i.e. counter (CTR) direction, with near-perpendicular neutral beam (PERP-NB) injection. Fast ion losses due to the toroidal field ripple induce CTR rotation in the peripheral region, and the magnitude of CTR rotation with PERP-NBs reduces by installing the ferritic steel tiles as a consequence of the reduction in the ripple losses. It is also found that toroidal rotation velocity profiles in the core region can be explained by momentum transport considering diffusivity and convective velocity estimated from transient momentum transport analysis in L-mode plasmas.

Gamma-ray bursts and collisionless shocks

Abstract: Particle acceleration in collisionless shocks is believed to be responsible for the production of cosmic-rays over a wide range of energies, from a few GeV to >10 20 eV, as well as for the non-thermal emission of radiation from a wide variety of high energy astrophysical sources. A theory of collisionless shocks based on first principles does not, however, exist. Observations of γ-ray burst (GRB) 'afterglows' provide a unique opportunity for diagnosing the physics of relativistic collisionless shocks. Most GRBs are believed to be associated with explosions of massive stars. Their 'afterglows', delayed low energy emission following the prompt burst of γ-rays, are well accounted for by a model in which afterglow radiation is due to synchrotron emission of electrons accelerated in relativistic collisionless shock waves driven by the explosion into the surrounding plasma. Within the framework of this model, some striking characteristics of collisionless relativistic shocks are implied. These include the generation of downstream magnetic fields with energy density exceeding that of the upstream field by ∼8 orders of magnitude, the survival of this strong field at distances ∼10 10 skin-depths downstream of the shock and the acceleration of particles to a power-law energy spectrum, d log n/d log e ≈ -2, possibly extending to 10 20 eV. I review in this talk the phenomenological considerations, based on which these characteristics are inferred, and the challenges posed to our current models of particle acceleration and magnetic field generation in collisionless shocks. Some recent theoretical results derived based on the assumption of a self-similar shock structure are briefly discussed.

Spectroscopic measurement of atomic and molecular deuterium fluxes in the DIII-D plasma edge

Abstract: Molecular deuterium fluxes into the edge of deuterium-fuelled L-mode discharges are measured using passive visible spectroscopy of D2 emission lines. Comparison with the atomic deuterium influx measured using Dα emission suggests that a significant fraction of the plasma edge fuelling from the walls is in the form of D2. Molecular deuterium flux is observed in both the divertor and main chamber regions but is roughly a factor 100 smaller near the inner main chamber wall and roughly a factor 1000 smaller near the outer main chamber wall, when compared with the divertor region. Very high levels of molecular D2 excitation are measured, with ground state D2 rotational population temperatures Trot up to 10 000 K and vibrational population temperatures Tvib up to 30 000 K. Comparisons between rotational population temperatures and the local electron density suggest that Trot can be used as a reasonably good indicator of electron density in the D2 line emission region. In recombining, detached divertor operation, estimates of the enhanced volume recombination rate due to the presence of vibrationally-excited D2 suggest that the effect of molecular-assisted volume recombination could be comparable in magnitude to that of normal D+ volume recombination (EIR).

Plasma rotation and momentum transport studies at JET

Abstract: An experimental study in plasma rotation and momentum transport was carried out at JET. The toroidal rotation profile was found to scale approximately with that of the ion temperature. However, significant deviations from this were found in high density ELMy H-mode discharges, which had broader rotation profiles. A rotation database analysis showed the variation of the dimensionless Mach number with respect to the plasma scenario. For predominantly NBI heated discharges the Mach number was found to be in the range of 0.3–0.45. Larger Mach numbers were observed in type I ELMy H-modes, while scenarios exhibiting type III ELMs or L-mode had lower Mach numbers. Advanced scenarios often showed a significant increase in the central Mach number when an internal transport barrier formed. A detailed study was done to investigate the Prandtl number, Pr, defined as the ratio between momentum and ion heat diffusivity. Generally the Prandtl number was found to be significantly below unity, e.g. 0.18 < Pr < 0.35. Although it is often predicted that momentum and heat diffusivity are equal in ITG dominated plasma, also for high density ELMy H-mode discharges with temperature profiles close and above the ITG threshold, the Prandtl number was Pr ~ 0.3.