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Polaris: a flexible stellarator demonstration experiment with simple modular coils
Authors:
Simon P. H. Vincent,
Joaquim Loizu,
Matthieu Toussaint,
Rémy Jacquier,
Jérémy Salm,
Philippe Guittienne,
Matias Habib,
Idil Sonmez,
Christopher B. Smiet,
Erol Balkovic,
Rogerio Jorge,
Alan G. Goodman,
Ivo Furno,
Christian Moura,
William Matthey-Dorey,
Steve Couturier,
Frédéric Dolizy
Abstract:
We present the design, construction, and first plasma experiments of Polaris, a new small-scale stellarator experiment (major radius R ~ 0.4 m) located at the Swiss Plasma Center. Polaris consists of a relatively large vacuum vessel (~0.5 m^3) predominantly made of glass windows and inside which different sets of magnetic coils can be installed. A first modular coil configuration has been designed…
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We present the design, construction, and first plasma experiments of Polaris, a new small-scale stellarator experiment (major radius R ~ 0.4 m) located at the Swiss Plasma Center. Polaris consists of a relatively large vacuum vessel (~0.5 m^3) predominantly made of glass windows and inside which different sets of magnetic coils can be installed. A first modular coil configuration has been designed with six identical, circular, water-cooled copper coils toroidally arranged in an optimal way so that they generate a large volume of magnetic surfaces and rotational transform in vacuum (iota ~ 0.3). The total current in each coil goes up to ~ 5 kA, producing a magnetic field on-axis of B ~ 0.03 T. An RF antenna specifically designed to operate in vacuum delivers up to 2.5 kW of power to produce plasma via inductive coupling and electron-impact ionization. We present the engineering solutions adopted for the design of Polaris and illustrate the great experimental flexibility it enables. Time-averaged values and fluctuations of plasma density, electron temperature, and floating potential are measured at various toroidal locations, providing insights into the plasma equilibrium, electrostatic turbulence, and associated transport. The glass vacuum chamber of Polaris additionally provides unprecedented optical access to the entire plasma volume. With its original, flexible design, Polaris is a 'stellarator fish-tank', allowing interchangeable coil sets and exploration of various magnetic configurations. Furthermore, its low-temperature, low-density, high-neutral-pressure plasmas are relevant to stellarator edge physics, making Polaris a first-of-kind testbed for the fundamental investigation of stellarator edge-relevant physics.
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Submitted 28 July, 2026;
originally announced July 2026.
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Vibrational excitation and dissociation of deuterium molecule by electron impact
Authors:
V Laporta,
R Agnello,
G Fubiani,
I Furno,
C Hill,
D Reiter,
F Taccogna
Abstract:
A theoretical investigation of electron-D2 resonant collisions - via the low lying and the Rydberg states of D2- - is presented for vibrational excitation, dissociative electron attachment and dissociative excitation processes by using the local-complex-potential approach. Full sets of vibrationally resolved cross sections, involving the ground electronic state - X 1Σ+g - and the first two electro…
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A theoretical investigation of electron-D2 resonant collisions - via the low lying and the Rydberg states of D2- - is presented for vibrational excitation, dissociative electron attachment and dissociative excitation processes by using the local-complex-potential approach. Full sets of vibrationally resolved cross sections, involving the ground electronic state - X 1Σ+g - and the first two electronic excited states - b 3Σ+u and B 1Σ+ u - of the D2 molecule, are given for fusion plasma applications in their technologically relevant partially dissociated, detached divertor regimes. In particular, transitions between electronic excited states are also considered. Comparisons are made with cross sections present in the literature, where available
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Submitted 14 November, 2024;
originally announced November 2024.
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Measurement of the emittance of accelerated electron bunches at the AWAKE experiment
Authors:
D. A. Cooke,
F. Pannell,
G. Zevi Della Porta,
J. Farmer,
V. Bencini,
M. Bergamaschi,
S. Mazzoni,
L. Ranc,
E. Senes,
P. Sherwood,
M. Wing,
R. Agnello,
C. C. Ahdida,
C. Amoedo,
Y. Andrebe,
O. Apsimon,
R. Apsimon,
J. M. Arnesano,
P. Blanchard,
P. N. Burrows,
B. Buttenschön,
A. Caldwell,
M. Chung,
A. Clairembaud,
C. Davut
, et al. (59 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The vertical plane transverse emittance of accelerated electron bunches at the AWAKE experiment at CERN has been determined, using three different methods of data analysis. This is a proof-of-principle measurement using the existing AWAKE electron spectrometer to validate the measurement technique. Large values of the geometric emittance, compared to that of the injection beam, are observed (…
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The vertical plane transverse emittance of accelerated electron bunches at the AWAKE experiment at CERN has been determined, using three different methods of data analysis. This is a proof-of-principle measurement using the existing AWAKE electron spectrometer to validate the measurement technique. Large values of the geometric emittance, compared to that of the injection beam, are observed ($\sim \SI{0.5}{\milli\metre\milli\radian}$ compared with $\sim \SI{0.08}{\milli\metre\milli\radian}$), which is in line with expectations of emittance growth arising from plasma density ramps and large injection beam bunch size. Future iterations of AWAKE are anticipated to operate in conditions where emittance growth is better controlled, and the effects of the imaging systems of the existing and future spectrometer designs on the ability to measure the emittance are discussed. Good performance of the instrument down to geometric emittances of approximately $\SI{1e-4}{\milli\metre\milli\radian}$ is required, which may be possible with improved electron optics and imaging.
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Submitted 13 November, 2024;
originally announced November 2024.
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A birdcage resonant antenna for helicon wave generation in TORPEX
Authors:
Simon Vincent,
Philippe Guittienne,
Patrick Quigley,
Cyrille Sepulchre,
Rémy Jacquier,
Robert Bertizzolo,
Marcelo Baquero-Ruiz,
Alan A. Howling,
Ivo Furno
Abstract:
A birdcage resonant helicon antenna is designed, mounted and tested in the toroidal device TORPEX. The birdcage resonant antenna is an alternative to the usual Boswell or half-helical antenna designs commonly used for $\sim$ 10 cm diameter helicon sources in low temperature plasma devices. The main advantage of the birdcage antenna lies in its resonant nature, which makes it easily operational eve…
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A birdcage resonant helicon antenna is designed, mounted and tested in the toroidal device TORPEX. The birdcage resonant antenna is an alternative to the usual Boswell or half-helical antenna designs commonly used for $\sim$ 10 cm diameter helicon sources in low temperature plasma devices. The main advantage of the birdcage antenna lies in its resonant nature, which makes it easily operational even at large scales, an appealing feature for the TORPEX device whose poloidal cross section is 40 cm in diameter. With this antenna helicon waves are shown to be launched and sustained throughout the whole torus of TORPEX. The helicon waves can be launched at low power on a pre-existing magnetron-generated plasma with little effect on the density profiles. The birdcage antenna can also be used alone to produce plasma, which removes the constraint of a narrow range of applied magnetic fields required by the magnetron, opening the way to a new range of studies on TORPEX with the external magnetic field as a control parameter.
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Submitted 8 April, 2024;
originally announced April 2024.
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Numerical and experimental investigations of a microwave interferometer for the negative ion source SPIDER
Authors:
R. Agnello,
R. Cavazzana,
I. Furno,
R. Jacquier,
R. Pasqualotto,
E. Sartori,
G. Serianni
Abstract:
The electron density close to the extraction grids and the co-extracted electrons represent a crucial issue when operating negative ion sources for fusion reactors. An excessive electron density in the plasma expansion region can indeed inhibit the negative ion production and introduce potentially harmful electrons in the accelerator. Among the set of plasma and beam diagnostics proposed for SPIDE…
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The electron density close to the extraction grids and the co-extracted electrons represent a crucial issue when operating negative ion sources for fusion reactors. An excessive electron density in the plasma expansion region can indeed inhibit the negative ion production and introduce potentially harmful electrons in the accelerator. Among the set of plasma and beam diagnostics proposed for SPIDER upgrade, a heterodyne microwave (mw) interferometer at 100 GHz is being explored as a possibility to measure electron density in the plasma extraction region. The major issue in applying this technique in SPIDER is the poor accessibility of the probing microwave beam through the source metal walls and the long distance of 4 m at which mw modules should be located outside the vacuum vessel. Numerical investigations in a full-scale geometry showed that the power transmitted through the plasma source apertures was sufficient for the microwave module sensitivity. An experimental proof-of-principle of the setup was then performed. The microwave system was tested on an experimental full-scale test-bench mimicking SPIDER viewports accessibility constraints, including the presence of a SPIDER-like plasma. The outcome of first tests revealed that, despite the geometrical constraints, in certain conditions, the electron density measurements are possible. The main issue arises from decoupling the one-pass signal from spurious multipaths generated by mw beam reflections, requiring signal cross correlation analysis. These preliminary tests demonstrate that despite the 4 m distance between the mw modules and the presence of metal walls, plasma density measurement is possible when the 80-mm diameter ports are available. In this contribution, we discuss the numerical simulations, the preliminary experimental tests and suggest design upgrades of the interferometric setup to enhance signal transmission.
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Submitted 28 February, 2023;
originally announced February 2023.
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The AWAKE Run 2 programme and beyond
Authors:
Edda Gschwendtner,
Konstantin Lotov,
Patric Muggli,
Matthew Wing,
Riccardo Agnello,
Claudia Christina Ahdida,
Maria Carolina Amoedo Goncalves,
Yanis Andrebe,
Oznur Apsimon,
Robert Apsimon,
Jordan Matias Arnesano,
Anna-Maria Bachmann,
Diego Barrientos,
Fabian Batsch,
Vittorio Bencini,
Michele Bergamaschi,
Patrick Blanchard,
Philip Nicholas Burrows,
Birger Buttenschön,
Allen Caldwell,
James Chappell,
Eric Chevallay,
Moses Chung,
David Andrew Cooke,
Heiko Damerau
, et al. (77 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Plasma wakefield acceleration is a promising technology to reduce the size of particle accelerators. Use of high energy protons to drive wakefields in plasma has been demonstrated during Run 1 of the AWAKE programme at CERN. Protons of energy 400 GeV drove wakefields that accelerated electrons to 2 GeV in under 10 m of plasma. The AWAKE collaboration is now embarking on Run 2 with the main aims to…
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Plasma wakefield acceleration is a promising technology to reduce the size of particle accelerators. Use of high energy protons to drive wakefields in plasma has been demonstrated during Run 1 of the AWAKE programme at CERN. Protons of energy 400 GeV drove wakefields that accelerated electrons to 2 GeV in under 10 m of plasma. The AWAKE collaboration is now embarking on Run 2 with the main aims to demonstrate stable accelerating gradients of 0.5-1 GV/m, preserve emittance of the electron bunches during acceleration and develop plasma sources scalable to 100s of metres and beyond. By the end of Run 2, the AWAKE scheme should be able to provide electron beams for particle physics experiments and several possible experiments have already been evaluated. This article summarises the programme of AWAKE Run 2 and how it will be achieved as well as the possible application of the AWAKE scheme to novel particle physics experiments.
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Submitted 13 June, 2022;
originally announced June 2022.
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Analysis of Proton Bunch Parameters in the AWAKE Experiment
Authors:
V. Hafych,
A. Caldwell,
R. Agnello,
C. C. Ahdida,
M. Aladi,
M. C. Amoedo Goncalves,
Y. Andrebe,
O. Apsimon,
R. Apsimon,
A. -M. Bachmann,
M. A. Baistrukov,
F. Batsch,
M. Bergamaschi,
P. Blanchard,
P. N. Burrows,
B. Buttenschön,
J. Chappell,
E. Chevallay,
M. Chung,
D. A. Cooke,
H. Damerau,
C. Davut,
G. Demeter,
A. Dexter,
S. Doebert
, et al. (63 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
A precise characterization of the incoming proton bunch parameters is required to accurately simulate the self-modulation process in the Advanced Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE). This paper presents an analysis of the parameters of the incoming proton bunches used in the later stages of the AWAKE Run 1 data-taking period. The transverse structure of the bunch is observed at multiple positions along t…
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A precise characterization of the incoming proton bunch parameters is required to accurately simulate the self-modulation process in the Advanced Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE). This paper presents an analysis of the parameters of the incoming proton bunches used in the later stages of the AWAKE Run 1 data-taking period. The transverse structure of the bunch is observed at multiple positions along the beamline using scintillating or optical transition radiation screens. The parameters of a model that describes the bunch transverse dimensions and divergence are fitted to represent the observed data using Bayesian inference. The analysis is tested on simulated data and then applied to the experimental data.
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Submitted 27 September, 2021;
originally announced September 2021.
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Simulation and Experimental Study of Proton Bunch Self-Modulation in Plasma with Linear Density Gradients
Authors:
P. I. Morales Guzmán,
P. Muggli,
R. Agnello,
C. C. Ahdida,
M. Aladi,
M. C. Amoedo Goncalves,
Y. Andrebe,
O. Apsimon,
R. Apsimon,
A. -M. Bachmann,
M. A. Baistrukov,
F. Batsch,
M. Bergamaschi,
P. Blanchard,
F. Braunmüller,
P. N. Burrows,
B. Buttenschön,
A. Caldwell,
J. Chappell,
E. Chevallay,
M. Chung,
D. A. Cooke,
H. Damerau,
C. Davut,
G. Demeter
, et al. (66 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We present numerical simulations and experimental results of the self-modulation of a long proton bunch in a plasma with linear density gradients along the beam path. Simulation results agree with the experimental results reported in arXiv:2007.14894v2: with negative gradients, the charge of the modulated bunch is lower than with positive gradients. In addition, the bunch modulation frequency vari…
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We present numerical simulations and experimental results of the self-modulation of a long proton bunch in a plasma with linear density gradients along the beam path. Simulation results agree with the experimental results reported in arXiv:2007.14894v2: with negative gradients, the charge of the modulated bunch is lower than with positive gradients. In addition, the bunch modulation frequency varies with gradient. Simulation results show that dephasing of the wakefields with respect to the relativistic protons along the plasma is the main cause for the loss of charge. The study of the modulation frequency reveals details about the evolution of the self-modulation process along the plasma. In particular for negative gradients, the modulation frequency across time-resolved images of the bunch indicates the position along the plasma where protons leave the wakefields. Simulations and experimental results are in excellent agreement.
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Submitted 23 July, 2021;
originally announced July 2021.
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Transition between Instability and Seeded Self-Modulation of a Relativistic Particle Bunch in Plasma
Authors:
F. Batsch,
P. Muggli,
R. Agnello,
C. C. Ahdida,
M. C. Amoedo Goncalves,
Y. Andrebe,
O. Apsimon,
R. Apsimon,
A. -M. Bachmann,
M. A. Baistrukov,
P. Blanchard,
F. Braunmüller,
P. N. Burrows,
B. Buttenschön,
A. Caldwell,
J. Chappell,
E. Chevallay,
M. Chung,
D. A. Cooke,
H. Damerau,
C. Davut,
G. Demeter,
H. L. Deubner,
S. Doebert,
J. Farmer
, et al. (72 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We use a relativistic ionization front to provide various initial transverse wakefield amplitudes for the self-modulation of a long proton bunch in plasma. We show experimentally that, with sufficient initial amplitude ($\ge(4.1\pm0.4)$ MV/m), the phase of the modulation along the bunch is reproducible from event to event, with 3 to 7% (of 2$π$) rms variations all along the bunch. The phase is not…
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We use a relativistic ionization front to provide various initial transverse wakefield amplitudes for the self-modulation of a long proton bunch in plasma. We show experimentally that, with sufficient initial amplitude ($\ge(4.1\pm0.4)$ MV/m), the phase of the modulation along the bunch is reproducible from event to event, with 3 to 7% (of 2$π$) rms variations all along the bunch. The phase is not reproducible for lower initial amplitudes. We observe the transition between these two regimes. Phase reproducibility is essential for deterministic external injection of particles to be accelerated.
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Submitted 17 December, 2020;
originally announced December 2020.
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Proton beam defocusing in AWAKE: comparison of simulations and measurements
Authors:
A. A. Gorn,
M. Turner,
E. Adli,
R. Agnello,
M. Aladi,
Y. Andrebe,
O. Apsimon,
R. Apsimon,
A. -M. Bachmann,
M. A. Baistrukov,
F. Batsch,
M. Bergamaschi,
P. Blanchard,
P. N. Burrows,
B. Buttenschon,
A. Caldwell,
J. Chappell,
E. Chevallay,
M. Chung,
D. A. Cooke,
H. Damerau,
C. Davut,
G. Demeter,
L. H. Deubner,
A. Dexter
, et al. (74 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
In 2017, AWAKE demonstrated the seeded self-modulation (SSM) of a 400 GeV proton beam from the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at CERN. The angular distribution of the protons deflected due to SSM is a quantitative measure of the process, which agrees with simulations by the two-dimensional (axisymmetric) particle-in-cell code LCODE. Agreement is achieved for beam populations between $10^{11}$ and…
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In 2017, AWAKE demonstrated the seeded self-modulation (SSM) of a 400 GeV proton beam from the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at CERN. The angular distribution of the protons deflected due to SSM is a quantitative measure of the process, which agrees with simulations by the two-dimensional (axisymmetric) particle-in-cell code LCODE. Agreement is achieved for beam populations between $10^{11}$ and $3 \times 10^{11}$ particles, various plasma density gradients ($-20 ÷20\%$) and two plasma densities ($2\times 10^{14} \text{cm}^{-3}$ and $7 \times 10^{14} \text{cm}^{-3}$). The agreement is reached only in the case of a wide enough simulation box (at least five plasma wavelengths).
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Submitted 26 August, 2020;
originally announced August 2020.
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R&D around a photoneutralizer-based NBI system (Siphore) in view of a DEMO Tokamak steady state fusion reactor
Authors:
A. Simonin,
Jocelyn Achard,
K. Achkasov,
S. Béchu,
C. Baudouin,
O. Baulaigue,
C. Blondel,
J. P. Boeuf,
Gilles Cartry,
W. Chaibi,
C. Drag,
H. P. L. de Esch,
D. Fiorucci,
G. Fubiani,
I. Furno,
R. Futtersack,
P. Garibaldi,
A. Gicquel,
C. Grand,
Ph Guittienne,
G. Hagelaar,
A. Howling,
R. Jacquier,
M. J. Kirkpatrick,
D. Lemoine
, et al. (6 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Since the signature of the ITER treaty in 2006, a new research programme targeting the emergence of a new generation of Neutral Beam (NB) system for the future fusion reactor (DEMO Tokamak) has been underway between several laboratories in Europe. The specifications required to operate a NB system on DEMO are very demanding: the system has to provide plasma heating, current drive and plasma contro…
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Since the signature of the ITER treaty in 2006, a new research programme targeting the emergence of a new generation of Neutral Beam (NB) system for the future fusion reactor (DEMO Tokamak) has been underway between several laboratories in Europe. The specifications required to operate a NB system on DEMO are very demanding: the system has to provide plasma heating, current drive and plasma control at a very high level of power (up to 150 MW) and energy (1 or 2 MeV), including high performances in term of wall-plug efficiency ($η$ > 60%), high availability and reliability. To this aim, a novel NB concept based on the photodetachment of the energetic negative ion beam is under study. The keystone of this new concept is the achievement of a photoneutralizer where a high power photon flux (~3 MW) generated within a Fabry Perot cavity will overlap, cross and partially photodetach the intense negative ion beam accelerated at high energy (1 or 2 MeV). The aspect ratio of the beam-line (source, accelerator, etc.) is specifically designed to maximize the overlap of the photon beam with the ion beam. It is shown that such a photoneutralized based NB system would have the capability to provide several tens of MW of D 0 per beam line with a wall-plug efficiency higher than 60%. A feasibility study of the concept has been launched between different laboratories to address the different physics aspects, i.e., negative ion source, plasma modelling, ion accelerator simulation, photoneutralization and high voltage holding under vacuum. The paper describes the present status of the project and the main achievements of the developments in laboratories.
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Submitted 27 November, 2019;
originally announced November 2019.
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Impurity seeding for suppression of the near Scrape-Off Layer heat flux feature in tokamak limited plasmas
Authors:
F. Nespoli,
B. Labit,
I. Furno,
C. Theiler,
U. Sheikh,
C. K. Tsui,
J. A. Boedo,
the TCV team
Abstract:
In inboard-limited plasmas, foreseen to be used in future fusion reactors start-up and ramp down phases, the Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) exhibits two regions: the "near" and "far" SOL. The steep radial gradient of the parallel heat flux associated with the near SOL can result in excessive thermal loads onto the solid surfaces, damaging them and/or limiting the operational space of a fusion reactor. In…
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In inboard-limited plasmas, foreseen to be used in future fusion reactors start-up and ramp down phases, the Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) exhibits two regions: the "near" and "far" SOL. The steep radial gradient of the parallel heat flux associated with the near SOL can result in excessive thermal loads onto the solid surfaces, damaging them and/or limiting the operational space of a fusion reactor. In this article, leveraging the results presented in [F. Nespoli et al., Nuclear Fusion 2017], we propose a technique for the mitigation and suppression of the near SOL heat flux feature by impurity seeding. First successful experimental results from the TCV tokamak are presented and discussed.
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Submitted 4 December, 2017;
originally announced December 2017.
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Statistical analysis and modeling of intermittent transport events in the tokamak SOL
Authors:
J. Anderson,
F. Halpern,
P. Xanthopoulos,
P. Ricci,
I. Furno
Abstract:
The turbulence observed in the scrape-off-layer of a tokamak is often characterized by intermittent events of bursty nature, a feature which raises concerns about the prediction of heat loads on the physical boundaries of the device. It appears thus necessary to delve into the statistical properties of turbulent physical fields such as density, electrostatic potential and temperature, focusing on…
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The turbulence observed in the scrape-off-layer of a tokamak is often characterized by intermittent events of bursty nature, a feature which raises concerns about the prediction of heat loads on the physical boundaries of the device. It appears thus necessary to delve into the statistical properties of turbulent physical fields such as density, electrostatic potential and temperature, focusing on the mathematical expression of tails of the probability distribution functions. The method followed here is to generate statistical information from time-traces of the plasma density stemming from Braginskii-type fluid simulations, and check this against a first-principles theoretical model. The analysis of the numerical simulations indicates that the probability distribution function of the intermittent process contains strong exponential tails, as predicted by the analytical theory.
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Submitted 17 December, 2014;
originally announced December 2014.
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Methods for characterising microphysical processes in plasmas
Authors:
T. Dudok de Wit,
O. Alexandrova,
I. Furno,
L. Sorriso-Valvo,
G. Zimbardo
Abstract:
Advanced spectral and statistical data analysis techniques have greatly contributed to shaping our understanding of microphysical processes in plasmas. We review some of the main techniques that allow for characterising fluctuation phenomena in geospace and in laboratory plasma observations. Special emphasis is given to the commonalities between different disciplines, which have witnessed the deve…
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Advanced spectral and statistical data analysis techniques have greatly contributed to shaping our understanding of microphysical processes in plasmas. We review some of the main techniques that allow for characterising fluctuation phenomena in geospace and in laboratory plasma observations. Special emphasis is given to the commonalities between different disciplines, which have witnessed the development of similar tools, often with differing terminologies. The review is phrased in terms of few important concepts: self-similarity, deviation from self-similarity (i.e. intermittency and coherent structures), wave-turbulence, and anomalous transport.
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Submitted 22 June, 2013;
originally announced June 2013.
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Nondiffusive suprathermal ion transport in simple magnetized toroidal plasmas
Authors:
K. Gustafson,
P. Ricci,
I. Furno,
A. Fasoli
Abstract:
We investigate suprathermal ion dynamics in simple magnetized toroidal plasmas in the pres- ence of electrostatic turbulence driven by the ideal interchange instability. Turbulent fields from fluid simulations are used in the non-relativistic equation of ion motion to compute suprathermal tracer ion trajectories. Suprathermal ion dispersion starts with a brief ballistic phase, during which particl…
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We investigate suprathermal ion dynamics in simple magnetized toroidal plasmas in the pres- ence of electrostatic turbulence driven by the ideal interchange instability. Turbulent fields from fluid simulations are used in the non-relativistic equation of ion motion to compute suprathermal tracer ion trajectories. Suprathermal ion dispersion starts with a brief ballistic phase, during which particles do not interact with the plasma, followed by a turbulence interaction phase. In this one simple system, we observe the entire spectrum of suprathermal ion dynamics, from subdiffusion to superdiffusion, depending on beam energy and turbulence amplitude. We estimate the duration of the ballistic phase and identify basic mechanisms during the interaction phase that determine the character of suprathermal ion dispersion upon the beam energy and turbulence fluctuation amplitude.
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Submitted 8 December, 2011; v1 submitted 2 November, 2011;
originally announced November 2011.
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Current driven rotating kink mode in a plasma column with a non-line-tied free end
Authors:
I. Furno,
T. P. Intrator,
S. Abbate,
T. Madziwa-Nussinov,
A. Light,
L. Dorf,
G. Lapenta,
D. D. Ryutov
Abstract:
First experimental measurements are presented for the kink instability in a linear plasma column which is insulated from an axial boundary by finite sheath resistivity. Instability threshold below the classical Kruskal-Shafranov threshold, axially asymmetric mode structure and rotation are observed. These are accurately reproduced by a recent kink theory, which includes axial plasma flow and one…
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First experimental measurements are presented for the kink instability in a linear plasma column which is insulated from an axial boundary by finite sheath resistivity. Instability threshold below the classical Kruskal-Shafranov threshold, axially asymmetric mode structure and rotation are observed. These are accurately reproduced by a recent kink theory, which includes axial plasma flow and one end of the plasma column that is free to move due to a non-line-tied boundary condition.
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Submitted 26 August, 2006;
originally announced August 2006.