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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

RKKY Exchange Bias Mediated Ultrafast All-Optical Switching of a Ferromagnet

The discovery of ultrafast helicity-independent all-optical switching (HI-AOS), as well as picosecond all-electrical switching of a ferrimagnet, has inspired the ultrafast spintronics community to explore ultrafast switching of a ferromagnet to achieve practical ultrafast storage and memory devices. Two explored mechanisms of HI-AOS of a ferromagnet in ferromagnet-ferrimagnet heterostructure are: a) exploiting the indirect exchange coupling with and b) injection of non-local spin current originated from a switching ferrimagnet. Here, in this manuscript, exchange mediated HI-AOS of a Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) exchange coupled “[Co/Pt]-multilayers/Pt spacer/CoGd” heterostructure is demonstrated. The authors have measured layer-resolved static magnetic properties, single-shot HI-AOS, and magnetization dynamics of the ferromagnetic Co/Pt multilayers (MLs), that are ferromagnetically or antiferromagnetically coupled with ferrimagnetic CoGd layers. Time-resolved magnetization dynamics reveal a 3.5 ps switching time of the Co/Pt MLs, which is the fastest switching of a ferromagnet reported to date. Employing an extended microscopic three-temperature model, the temporal dynamics of the exchange coupled ferromagnet–ferrimagnet heterostructure are simulated, qualitatively and quantitatively explaining the experimental switching phenomena. This work experimentally as well as theoretically establishes the mechanism of exchange mediated all-optical switching of ferromagnet-ferrimagnet heterostructures, which can be integrated with a magnetic tunnel junction for efficient reading after ultrafast energy-efficient switching.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Space-resolved extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy free of high-energy neutral particle noise in wavelength range of 10–130 Å on the large helical device

A flat-field space-resolved extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometer system working in wavelength range of 10–130 Å has been constructed in the Large Helical Device (LHD) for profile measurements of bremsstrahlung continuum and line emissions of heavy impurities in the central column of plasmas, which are aimed at studies on Z{sub eff} and impurity transport, respectively. Until now, a large amount of spike noise caused by neutral particles with high energies (≤180 keV) originating in neutral beam injection has been observed in EUV spectroscopy on LHD. The new system has been developed with an aim to delete such a spike noise from the signal by installing a thin filter which can block the high-energy neutral particles entering the EUV spectrometer. Three filters of 11 μm thick beryllium (Be), 3.3 μm thick polypropylene (PP), and 0.5 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET: polyester) have been examined to eliminate the spike noise. Although the 11 μm Be and 3.3 μm PP filters can fully delete the spike noise in wavelength range of λ ≤ 20 Å, the signal intensity is also reduced. The 0.5 μm PET filter, on the other hand, can maintain sufficient signal intensity for the measurement and the spike noise remained in the signal is acceptable. As a result, the bremsstrahlung profile is successfully measured without noise at 20 Å even in low-density discharges, e.g., 2.9 × 10{sup 13} cm{sup −3}, when the 0.5 μm PET filter is used. The iron n = 3–2 Lα transition array consisting of FeXVII to FeXXIV is also excellently observed with their radial profiles in wavelength range of 10–18 Å. Each transition in the Lα array can be accurately identified with its radial profile. As a typical example of the method a spectral line at 17.62 Å is identified as FeXVIII transition. Results on absolute intensity calibration of the spectrometer system, pulse height and noise count analyses of the spike noise between holographic and ruled gratings and wavelength response of the used filters are also presented with performance of the present spectrometer system.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2000

Experimental Study of the Structure of a Wingtip Vortex

A complete look at the near-field development and subsequent role-up of a wingtip vortex from a NACA 0015 wing section is investigated. Two separate but equally important surveys of the vortex structure in the region adjacent to the wingtip and approximately one chord length downstream of the trailing edge are performed. The two surveys provide qualitative flow-visualization an quantitative velocity measurement data. The near-field development and subsequent role-up of the vortex structures is strongly influenced by the angle-of-attack and the end-cap treatment of the wing section. The velocity field near the wingtip of the NACA 0015 wing section was measured with a triple-sensor hot wire probe and compared to flow visualization images produced with titanium tetrachloride smoke injection and laser illumination. The flat end-cap results indicate the formation of multiple, relatively strong vortex structures as opposed to the formation of a single vortex produced with the round end-cap. The multiple vortices generated by the flat end-cap are seen to rotate around a common ce te in a helical pattern until they eventually merge into a single vortex. Compared to a non-dimensional loading parameter, the results of the velocity and flow visualization data shows a "jetlike" axial velocity profile for loading parameter values on the order of 0.1 and a "wakelike" profile for much lower loading parameter values.

Anderson, Elgin A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Isotope effects on transport in LHD

Abstract Isotope effects are one of the most important issues for predicting future reactor operations. Large helical device (LHD) is the presently working largest stellarator/helical device using super conducting helical coils. In LHD, deuterium experiments started in 2017. Extensive studies regarding isotope effects on transport have been carried out. In this paper, the results of isotope effect studies in LHD are reported. The systematic studies were performed adjusting operational parameters and nondimensional parameters. In L mode like normal confinement plasma, where internal and edge transport barriers are not formed, the scaling of global energy confinement time ( τ E ) with operational parameters shows positive mass dependence ( M 0.27 ; where M is effective ion mass) in electron cyclotron heating plasma and no mass dependence ( M 0.0 ) in neutral beam injection heating plasma. The non-negative ion mass dependence is anti-gyro-Bohm scaling. The role of the turbulence in isotope effects was also found by turbulence measurements and gyrokinetic simulation. Better accessibility to electron and ion internal transport barrier (ITB) plasma is found in deuterium (D) plasma than in hydrogen (H). Gyro kinetic non-linear simulation shows reduced ion heat flux due to the larger generation of zonal flow in deuterium plasma. Peaked carbon density profile plays a prominent role in reducing ion energy transport in ITB plasma. This is evident only in plasma with deuterium ions. New findings on the mixing and non-mixing states of D and H particle transports are reported. In the mixing state, ion particle diffusivities are higher than electron particle diffusivities and D and H ion density profiles are almost identical. In the non-mixing state, ion particle diffusivity is much lower than electron diffusivity. Deuterium and hydrogen ion profiles are clearly different. Different turbulence structures were found in the mixing and non-mixing states suggesting different turbulence modes play a role.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2014

Development of a test rig for a helium twin-screw compressor

A large helium cryogenic system is being developed for use in great science projects, such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), Large Helical Device (LHD), and the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). In this cryogenic system, a twin-screw compressor is a key component. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the compressor performance. To obtain the performance characteristics, a test rig for the compressor has been built. All the important performance parameters, including adiabatic efficiency, volumetric efficiency, oil injection characteristic, and noise characteristic can be acquired with the rig when sensors are installed in the test system. With the test performance, the helium twin-screw compressor can be evaluated. Using these results, the design of the compressor can be improved.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electron-optical systems for planar gyrotrons

The methodology of designing an electron-optical system (EOS) that forms sheet helical electron beams (HEBs) for high-power gyrotrons is developed. As an example, we consider the EOS for a 140-GHz gyrotron operated at the first harmonic of the cyclotron frequency with an accelerating voltage of 50 kV, a beam current of 30 A, and a magnetic field compression of 36. A planar geometry of the magnetron-injection gun (MIG) is suggested. The adiabatic theory of MIGs modified for the planar geometry of EOS is used for preliminary estimations of MIG parameters. Numerical simulation of the HEB properties based on the CST STUDIO SUITE 3D code is performed to find the optimal configuration of a planar MIG. The accuracy of the calculated data is discussed. The main factors that affect the HEB quality are considered. It is shown that a sheet HEB with a pitch-factor of 1.3 and velocity spread not exceeding 25%–30% can be formed; this is quite acceptable for high-efficiency operation of modern gyrotrons. Calculation of the beam-wave interaction with the obtained HEB parameters proved that a high output power with a sufficiently good efficiency of about 20% can be reached. Simulations show the feasibility of the experimental implementation of a novel planar EOS and its use in short-wave planar gyrotrons. The developed technique can be used for the study and optimization of planar gyrotrons of different frequency bands and power levels.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1928

Factors in the Design of Centrifugal Type Injection Valves for Oil Engines

This research was undertaken in connection with a general study of the application of the fuel injection engine to aircraft. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effect of four important factors in the design of a centrifugal type automatic injection valve on the penetration, general shape, and distribution of oil sprays. The general method employed was to record the development of single sprays by means of special high-speed photographic apparatus capable of taking 25 consecutive pictures of the moving spray at a rate of 4,000 per second. Investigations were made concerning the effects on spray characteristics, of the helix angle of helical grooves, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the orifice to that of the grooves, the ratio of orifice length to diameter, and the position of the seat. Maximum spray penetration was obtained with a ratio of orifice length to diameter of about 1.5. Slightly greater penetration was obtained with the seat directly before the orifice.

Joachim, W F↗
DOE OSTI2024

Radiation induced non-linear oscillations in ITER baseline scenario plasmas in DIII-D

Abstract This work shows how the radiation brought about by metals or metal-equivalent radiators such as Kr and Xe produces non-linear dynamics on otherwise stationary β N flattops of DIII-D ITER Baseline Scenario demonstration discharges. The Kr and Xe gases are used to reproduce the radiative loss rates of W in present machines that operate at core temperatures much lower than the expected ITER temperature. Experiments on DIII-D with injection of Kr and Xe, as well as with sources of intrinsic metals reach the range of radiated fraction values expected in the ITER core and experience slow oscillations in temperature and radiated power. In many cases of high radiated fraction, the core temperature decreases enough for the safety factor profile to rise above the 1/1 rational surface, naturally eliminating sawteeth and occasionally producing a persistent helical core. The oscillations can be reproduced by a modified Lotka–Volterra system for temperature and radiated fraction if diffusion and noise are included, which indicates that the interplay between temperature and radiation can be the main cause of the cyclic nature of the system. A new physics based model which includes equations for temperature, density and input power can also reproduce the oscillations observed in the experiments. The present results suggest that the non-linearity of the system can be increased by the inclusion of the inherently non-linear alpha heating term, which is proportional to ∼ n e 2 T i 2 , and obtains oscillations in the model when added to an otherwise more stationary system.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental study on boron distribution and transport at plasma-facing components during impurity powder dropping in the Large Helical Device

Toward real-time wall conditioning, impurity powder dropping experiments with boron powder were performed in the 22nd experimental campaign of the Large Helical Device. To examine the deposition and desorption process of boron, we focus on boron hydride (BH) molecules which presumably populate near plasma-facing components. We performed spatially-resolved spectroscopic measurements of emission by boron ions and BH molecules. From the measurement, we found that BH and B + were concentrated on the divertor viewing chord, which suggest boron deposition in the divertor region. By comparing Hγ emissions with and without boron injection, neutral hydrogen shows uniform reduction in the SOL region, whereas less reduction of neutral hydrogen is confirmed in the divertor region. Although emissions from BH and B + increased linearly, emissions by B0 and B4 + became constant after the middle of the discharge. Continuous reduction of carbon density in the core plasma was confirmed even after B 0 and B 4 + became constant. The results may show reduction of hydrogen recycling and facilitation of impurity gettering by boron in the divertor region and thus effective real-time wall conditioning.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetohydrodynamically stable plasma with supercritical current density at the axis

In this work, an analysis of magnetic perturbations in the GOL-3 experiment is given. In GOL-3, plasma is collectively heated in a multiple-mirror trap by a high-power electron beam. During the beam injection, the beam-plasma interaction maintains a high-level microturbulence. This provides an unusual radial profile of the net current (that consists of the beam current, current of the preliminary discharge, and the return current). The plasma core carries supercritical current density with the safety factor well below unity, but as a whole, the plasma is stable with q(a) ≈ 4. The net plasma current is counter-directed to the beam current; helicities of the magnetic field in the core and at the edge are of different signs. This forms a system with a strong magnetic shear that stabilizes the plasma core in good confinement regimes. We have found that the most pronounced magnetic perturbation is the well-known n = 1, m = 1 mode for both stable and disruptive regimes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Long plasma duration operation analyses with an international multi-machine (tokamaks and stellarators) database

Combined high-fusion performance and long-pulse operation is one of the key integration challenges for fusion energy development in magnetic devices. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated vision of physics and engineering aspects with the purpose of simultaneously increasing time duration and fusion performance. Significant progress has been made in tokamaks and stellarators, including very recent achievement in duration and/or performance. This progress is reviewed by analyzing the experimental data (109 plasma pulses with a total of 3200 data points, i.e. on average 29 data per pulse) provided by ten tokamaks (in alphabetical order: Axially Symmetric Divertor Experiment Upgrade, DIII-D, Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak, Joint European Torus, JT-60 Upgrade, Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research, tokamak à configuration variable, Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor, Tore Supra, W Environment in Steady-State Tokamak) and two stellarators (Large Helical Device and Wendelstein 7-X) expanding the pioneering work of Kikuchi (Kikuchi M. and Azumi M. 2015 Frontiers in Fusion Research II: Introduction to Modern Tokamak Physics (Springer)). Data have been gathered up to January 2022 and coordination has been provided by the recently created International Energy Agency-International Atomic Energy Agency international Coordination on International Challenges on Long duration OPeration group. By exploiting the multi-machine international database, recent progress in terms of injected energies (e.g. 1730 MJ in L-mode, 425 MJ in H-mode), durations (1056 s in L-mode, 101 s in H-mode), injected powers, and sustained performance will be reviewed. Progress has been made to sustain long-pulse operation in tokamaks and stellarators with superconducting coils, actively cooled components, and/or with metallic walls. The graph of the fusion triple products as a function of duration shows a dramatic reduction of, at least two orders of magnitude when increasing the plasma duration from less than 1 s to 100 s. Indeed, long-pulse operation is usually reached in dominant electron-heating modes at reduced density (current drive optimization) but with low ion temperatures ranging from 1 to 3 keV for discharges above 100 s. Difficulties in extending the duration may arise from coupling high heating powers over long durations and the evolving plasma-wall interaction towards an unstable operational domain. Possible causes limiting the duration and critical issues to be addressed prior to ITER operation and DEMO design are reported and analyzed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Constraining primordial magnetic fields with distortions of the black-body spectrum of the cosmic microwave background: pre- and post-decoupling contributions

Primordial magnetic fields that exist before the photon-baryon decoupling epoch are damped on length scales below the photon diffusion and free-streaming scales. The energy injected into the plasma by dissipation of magnetosonic and Alfv and apos;en waves heats photons, creating a y-type distortion of the black-body spectrum of the cosmic microwave background. This y-type distortion is converted into a μ-type distortion when elastic Compton scattering is efficient. Therefore, we can use observational limits on y- and μ-type distortions to constrain properties of magnetic fields in the early universe. Assuming a Gaussian, random, and non-helical field, we calculate μ and y as a function of the present-day strength of the field, B{sub 0}, smoothed over a certain Gaussian width, k{sub c}{sup −1}, as well as of the spectral index of the power spectrum of fields, n{sub B}, defined by P{sub B}(k)∝k{sup n{sub B}}. For a nearly scale-invariant spectrum with n{sub B} = −2.9 and a Gaussian smoothing width of k{sub c}{sup −1} = 1Mpc, the existing COBE/FIRAS limit on μ yields B{sub 0} < 40 nG, whereas the projected PIXIE limit on μ would yield B{sub 0} < 0.8 nG. For non-scale-invariant spectra, constraints can be stronger. For example, for B{sub 0} = 1 nG with k{sub c}{sup −1} = 1Mpc, the COBE/FIRAS limit on μ excludes a wide range of spectral indices given by n{sub B} > −2.6. After decoupling, energy dissipation is due to ambipolar diffusion and decaying MHD turbulence, creating a y-type distortion. The distortion is completely dominated by decaying MHD turbulence, and is of order y ≈ 10{sup −7} for a few nG field smoothed over the damping scale at the decoupling epoch, k{sub d,} {sub dec} ≈ 290(B{sub 0}/1nG){sup −1}Mpc{sup −1}. The projected PIXIE limit on y would exclude B{sub 0} > 1.0 and 0.6 nG for n{sub B} = −2.9 and -2.3, respectively, and B{sub 0} > 0.6 nG for n{sub B} ≥ 2. Finally, we find that the current limits on the optical depth to Thomson scattering restrict the predicted y-type distortion to be y∼<10{sup −8}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Multiple Use Plug Hybrid for NanoSats (MUPHyN) Miniature Thruster

The Multiple Use Plug Hybrid (for) Nanosats is a prototype thruster is being developed to fill a niche application for NanoSat-scale spacecraft propulsion. When fully developed, the MUPHyN thruster will provide an effective and low-risk propulsive capability that could enable multiple NanoSats to be independently re-positioned after deployment from a parent launch vehicle. Because the environmentally benign, chemically-stable propellants are mixed only within the combustion chamber after ignition and the flow rate of the fuel is determined by a pyrolysis mechanism that is nearly independent of pressure or fuel grain defects, the system is inherently safe and can be piggy-backed near a secondary payload with little or no overall mission risk increase to the primary payload. The MUPHyN thruster uses safe-handling and inexpensive nitrous oxide (N2O) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) as propellants. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), a direct digital manufacturing process, is used to fabricate short-form-factor solid fuel grains with multiple helical combustion ports from ABS thermoplastic. This manufacturing process allows for the rapid development and manufacture of complex fuel grain geometries that are not possible to extrude or cast using conventional methods. This technology enables the construction of fuel grains with length-to-diameter ratios appropriate for incorporation into CubeSats while maintaining high surface areas and regression rates that allow the system to maintain a near optimal oxidizer to fuel ratio. The MUPHyN system provides attitude control torques by using secondary-injection thrust vectoring on a truncated aerospike nozzle. This configuration allows large impulse delta V burns and small impulse attitude control firings to be performed with the same system. To ensure survivability during extend duration burns, the MUPHyN incorporates a novel regenerative cooling design where the N2O oxidizer flows through a cooling path embedded in the aerospike nozzle before being injected into the combustion chamber near the nozzle base.

Eilers, Shannon D.↗
DOE OSTI2016

A spatial light modulator that uses scattering in a cholesteric liquid crystal

When a cholesteric liquid crystal (helical pitch: 5 μm) was sandwiched between two glass plates with no alignment coating (gap: 20 μm), a random-domain texture appeared and a strong light scattering took place. This translucent texture turned to a transparent homeotropic phase when an electric voltage of 20 V was applied to the liquid crystal layer. This phase transition was used for constructing a spatial light modulator that needed no polarizers. Indium-tin-oxide electrodes (0.8 mm square) were arranged on a glass substrate to create a 20 × 20 pixel array (20 mm square). The liquid crystal was injected into a gap (20 μm thickness) between this substrate and another glass plate with a uniform electrode (ground). The transmittance of the pixels was originally below 10% and decreased to 0% by 7 V application because of increase in the scattering loss. As the voltage was raised, the transmittance increased gradually in the 7–17 V range and then rapidly in the 17–20 V range, attaining 40% at 27 V. Various transmittance distributions or gray-scale images were attainable by applying a suitable voltage (7–27 V) to each pixel. The transmission range of this spatial light modulator extended from ultraviolet (350 nm) to infrared wavelengths (>800 nm). Owing to this wide transmission range as well as capability of the polarizer-free operation, this spatial light modulator is useful to control a lamp spectrum in spectroscopic measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Controlling the helicity of light by electrical magnetization switching

Controlling the intensity of emitted light and charge current is the basis of transferring and processing information. By contrast, robust information storage and magnetic random-access memories are implemented using the spin of the carrier and the associated magnetization in ferromagnets. In this study, the missing link between the respective disciplines of photonics, electronics and spintronics is to modulate the circular polarization of the emitted light, rather than its intensity, by electrically controlled magnetization. Here we demonstrate that this missing link is established at room temperature and zero applied magnetic field in light-emitting diodes through the transfer of angular momentum between photons, electrons and ferromagnets. With spin-orbit torque a charge current generates also a spin current to electrically switch the magnetization. This switching determines the spin orientation of injected carriers into semiconductors, in which the transfer of angular momentum from the electron spin to photon controls the circular polarization of the emitted light. The spin-photon conversion with the nonvolatile control of magnetization opens paths to seamlessly integrate information transfer, processing and storage. Our results provide substantial advances towards electrically controlled ultrafast modulation of circular polarization and spin injection with magnetization dynamics for the next-generation information and communication technology, including space-light data transfer. The same operating principle in scaled-down structures or using two-dimensional materials will enable transformative opportunities for quantum information processing with spin-controlled single-photon sources, as well as for implementing spin-dependent time-resolved spectroscopies.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

High-power and steady-state operation of ICRF heating in the large helical device

Recent progress in an ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) heating system and experiment results in a Large Helical Device (LHD) are reported. Three kinds of ICRF antenna pairs were installed in the LHD, and the operation power regimes were extended up to 4.5 MW; also, the steady-state operation was extended for more than 45 min in LHD at a MW power level. We studied ICRF heating physics in heliotron configuration using a Hand Shake type (HAS) antenna, Field Aligned Impedance Transforming (FAIT) antenna, and Poloidal Array (PA) antenna, and established the optimum minority-ion heating scenario in an LHD. The FAIT antenna having a novel impedance transformer inside the vacuum chamber could reduce the VSWR and successfully injected a higher power to plasma. We tested the PA antennas completely removing the Faraday-shield pipes to avoid breakdown and to increase the plasma coupling. The heating performance was almost the same as other antennas; however, the heating efficiency was degraded when the gap between the antenna and plasma surface was large. Using these three kinds of antennas, ICRF heating could contribute to raising the plasma beta with the second- and third-harmonic cyclotron heating mode, and also to raising the ion temperature as discharge cleaning tools. In 2014, steady-state operation plasma with a line-averaged electron density of 1.2 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −3}, ion and electron temperature of 2 keV, and plasma sustainment time of 48 min was achieved with ICH and ECH heating power of 1.2 MW for majority helium with minority hydrogen. In 2015, the higher-power steady-state operation with a heating power of up to 3 MW was tested with higher density of 3 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −3}.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of the HAE activity in the TJ-II stellarator using a Landau closure model

The aim of this study is to analyze the stability of helical Alfvén eigenmodes (HAEs) in TJ-II discharges and the stabilizing effect of the energetic particles generated by the neutral beam injector (NBI) on pressure gradient-driven modes (PGDMs). HAE and PGDM stability is studied using the linear version of the gyro-fluid code FAR3d and the continuous structure by the STELLGAP code. First, Alfvén eigenmode (AE) and PGDM activity observed in the experiments is reproduced by the simulations, identifying unstable m/n = 4/7 − 2/3 and 7/12 − 5/8 HAEs triggered around ρ = 0.66 showing a frequency of 209 and 204 kHz, respectively, as well as 5/3 PGDM. Next, a parametric study is performed with respect to the thermal ion density and iota profile in the middle-outer plasma region to verify the robustness of the simulation results with respect to the uncertainty of experimental profiles. The analysis confirms that experimental uncertainty does not cause large deviations in the simulation results, showing the destabilization of the same HAEs for all the configurations tested. The simulations also indicate the decay of the 5/3 PGDM growth rate as the energetic particle (EP) population in the plasma increases, consistent with the experiment. Stability analysis of the n = 3, 7, 11, n = 5, 9, 13, n = 6, 10, 14, and n = 8, 12 helical families is performed with respect to the NBI operational regime for different EP energies, β as well as deposition profiles. The most unstable configuration is the radially localized on-axis NBI operation (stiff EP density profile gradients nearby the magnetic axis). Using the simulation model that reproduces the observed Alfvén activity, we extend the study to analyze NBI performance within a theoretical framework. It shows that increasing NBI voltage (which raises EP energy) leads to a degradation in NBI performance for a given power (related to EP β and their density). To achieve better NBI operation, higher voltage must be balanced with lower injection power, ensuring stable AEs while keeping the same EP β.

Plasma confinement↗