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Farengo, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Farengo, R..

FOCUS: A full-orbit CUDA solver for particle simulations in magnetized plasmas

A Full-Orbit CUDA Solver for particle simulations in plasmas, FOCUS, has been developed. The code follows exact particle trajectories by solving Newton’s equations with the Lorentz force. The code can use fields calculated analytically or numerically and it is also possible to use the information provided by equilibrium reconstruction and transport codes. FOCUS has an elastic collisions module which covers the whole particle energy range in magnetic fusion devices. Moreover, an atomic collision module was also included to simulate the interaction of the test particles with neutral or partially ionized species. Regarding performance, the main feature is that the code runs on GPUs, allowing the simulation of a large number of particles using moderate computational resources. Different versions of the code have been used in several papers. Here we present a complete description of its capabilities, the basis physics included and detailed information about the numerical algorithms employed. Finally, some examples are presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Alpha particles diffusion due to charge changes

Alpha particles diffusion due to charge changes in a magnetized plasma is studied. Analytical calculations and numerical simulations are employed to show that this process can be very important in the pedestal-edge-SOL regions. This is the first study that presents clear evidence of the importance of atomic processes on the diffusion of alpha particles. A simple 1D model that includes inelastic collisions with plasma species, “cold” neutrals, and partially ionized species was employed. The code, which follows the exact particle orbits and includes the effect of inelastic collisions via a Monte Carlo type random process, runs on a graphic processor unit (GPU). The analytical and numerical results show excellent agreement when a uniform background (plasma and cold species) is assumed. The simulations also show that the gradients in the density of the plasma and cold species, which are large and opposite in the edge region, produce an inward flux of alpha particles. Calculations of the alpha particles flux reaching the walls or divertor plates should include these processes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗