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At least 1,207 records · Page 67

Turbulence statistical analysis of the L-H transition and RMPs in KSTAR

Here, we investigate the turbulence statistics associated with low-to-high confinement (L-H) transitions and externally applied resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in KSTAR. Time-series fluctuations of electron density n e , electron temperature T e , and the time derivative of the poloidal magnetic field dB θ /dt (Mirnov coils) are analysed using information-geometric measures (information rate Γ and information length $\mathcal{L}$ = ∫ Γ dt), together with kurtosis κ and variance σ 2 . In low-density upper single-null plasmas (n e ~ 1.2 x 10 19 m -3 ), a ~80 kHz magnetic mode coupling n e , T e , dB θ /dt and emerges prior to the L-H transition and persists into the edge-localised modes H-mode. Edge-localised RMPs (ERMPs) suppress this coherent mode but enhance intermittency, producing frequent bursts that abruptly reshape the time-dependent probability density functions (PDFs) and generate large spikes in Γ (with smaller changes in κ), signalling ERMP-driven departures from quasi-stationarity. The impact of ERMPs on background fluctuation levels depends on density, radial location, and the fluctuating variable itself ($\tilde{n}$, $\tilde{T}$, $\dot{B}$ θ ), whereas $\mathcal{L}$ provides a robust, regime-agnostic measure of cumulative statistical reorganisation and spatial decorrelation. In particular, at low density we observe weaker coupling between $\tilde{n}$ and $\tilde{T}$, along with a tendency toward decreased radial correlation-most clearly for $\tilde{T}$-under ERMPs. Overall, information geometry cleanly captures intermittent events, quantifies non-equilibrium PDF evolution, and offers a compact, cross-diagnostic metric for assessing resonant magnetic perturbation effects on edge transport and correlation across densities, radial locations, and confinement states.

Kim, Eun-jin [Coventry Univ. (United Kingdom); Seo↗

Radiation Pressure-Driven Magnetic Disk Winds in Broad Absorption Line Quasi-Stellar Objects

We explore a model in which QSO broad absorption lines (BALS) are formed in a radiation pressure-driven wind emerging from a magnetized accretion disk. The magnetic field threading the disk material is dragged by the flow and is compressed by the radiation pressure until it is dynamically important and strong enough to contribute to the confinement of the BAL clouds. We construct a simple self-similar model for such radiatively driven magnetized disk winds, in order to explore their properties. It is found that solutions exist for which the entire magnetized flow is confined to a thin wedge over the surface of the disk. For reasonable values of the mass-loss rate, a typical magnetic field strength such that the magnetic pressure is comparable to the inferred gas pressure in BAL clouds, and a moderate amount of internal soft X-ray absorption, we find that the opening angle of the flow is approximately 0.1 rad, in good agreement with the observed covering factor of the broad absorption line region.

DeKool, Martin↗

Experimental confirmation of efficient island divertor operation and successful neoclassical transport optimization in Wendelstein 7-X

We present recent highlights from the most recent operation phases of Wendelstein 7-X, the most advanced stellarator in the world. Stable detachment with good particle exhaust, low impurity content, and energy confinement times exceeding 100 ms, have been maintained for tens of seconds. Pellet fueling allows for plasma phases with reduced ion-temperature-gradient turbulence, and during such phases, the overall confinement is so good (energy confinement times often exceeding 200 ms) that the attained density and temperature profiles would not have been possible in less optimized devices, since they would have had neoclassical transport losses exceeding the heating applied in W7-X. This provides proof that the reduction of neoclassical transport through magnetic field optimization is successful. W7-X plasmas generally show good impurity screening and high plasma purity, but there is evidence of longer impurity confinement times during turbulence-suppressed phases.

neoclassical optimization↗

Magnetized ICF implosions: Scaling of temperature and yield enhancement

This work investigates the impact of an applied magnetic field on the yield and hot-spot temperature of inertial confinement fusion implosions. A scaling of temperature amplification due to magnetization is shown to be in agreement with unperturbed two-dimensional (2D) extended-magnetohydrodynamic simulations. A perfectly spherical hot-spot with an axial magnetic field is predicted to have a maximum temperature amplification of 37%. However, elongation of the hot-spot along field lines raises this value by decreasing the hot-spot surface area along magnetic field lines. A scaling for yield amplification predicts that a magnetic field has the greatest benefit for low-temperature implosions; this is in agreement with simplified 1D simulations, but not 2D simulations where the hot-spot pressure can be significantly reduced by heat-flow anisotropy. Simulations including a P2 drive asymmetry then show that the magnetized yield is a maximum when the capsule drive corrects the hot-spot shape to be round at neutron bang time. An applied magnetic field is also found to be most beneficial for implosions that are more highly perturbed, exceeding the theoretical yield enhancement for symmetric hot-spots. Increasing the magnetic field strength past the value required to magnetize the electrons is beneficial due to the additional suppression of perturbations by magnetic tension.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Studies of Spinons, Majoranas, and Monopoles in Spin Liquid and Quantum Critical Magnets with Neutrons

Quantum and frustrated materials have eminent potential for the future with the promise of transformative properties in energy storage, conversion, and transmission as well as for new types of computing. Many of the new materials being explored are introduced to have highly unusual ground states that show quantum critical behavior or exotic disorder such as spin liquids. Intense interest is focused on the unusual types of fractionalized quasiparticles that these phases can support such as spin-1/2 spinons, Majorana fermions, and magnetic monopoles. Neutron scattering provides a remarkable tool for probing quantum and frustrated states of real magnetic system by measuring the structure and dynamics of atomic spins on the important energy scales involved. Here I review the signatures of these unusual quasiparticles and the evidence for them starting with quasi-1D magnets covering fractionalization of magnons into spinons, confinement effects, and three classes of quantum critical behavior. In 2D I report on the status of quantum spin liquids in triangular and Kagome magnets before considering the current evidence for exotic Majorana fermions in materials that approximate the Kitaev model. Following this I outline the current status of research into magnetic monopoles in 3D spin ice and the potential for emergent electrodynamics in quantum spin ice. Finally, I consider where new developments in materials, experiment, and theory and modeling could lead to new discoveries.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Impurity confinement and transport in high confinement regimes without edge localized modes on DIII-D

Impurity transport in the DIII-D tokamak [J. L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002)] is investigated in stationary high confinement (H-mode) regimes without edge localized modes (ELMs). In plasmas maintained by resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP), ELM-suppression, and QH-mode, the confinement time of fluorine (Z = 9) is equivalent to that in ELMing discharges with 40 Hz ELMs. For selected discharges with impurity injection, the impurity particle confinement time compared to the energy confinement time is in the range of τ{sub p}/τ{sub e}≈2−3. In QH-mode operation, the impurity confinement time is shown to be smaller for intense, coherent magnetic, and density fluctuations of the edge harmonic oscillation than weaker fluctuations. Transport coefficients are derived from the time evolution of the impurity density profile and compared to neoclassical and turbulent transport models NEO and TGLF. Neoclassical transport of fluorine is found to be small compared to the experimental values. In the ELMing and RMP ELM-suppressed plasma, the impurity transport is affected by the presence of tearing modes. For radii larger than the mode radius, the TGLF diffusion coefficient is smaller than the experimental value by a factor of 2–3, while the convective velocity is within error estimates. Low levels of diffusion are observed for radii smaller than the tearing mode radius. In the QH-mode plasma investigated, the TGLF diffusion coefficient is higher inside of ρ=0.4 and lower outside of 0.4 than the experiment, and the TGLF convective velocity is more negative by a factor of approximately 1.7.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Extended capability of the integrated transport analysis suite, TASK3D-a, for LHD experiment

The integrated transport analysis suite, TASK3D-a (Analysis), has been developed to be capable for routine whole-discharge analyses of plasmas confined in three-dimensional (3D) magnetic configurations such as the LHD. The routine dynamic energy balance analysis for NBI-heated plasmas was made possible in the first version released in September 2012. The suite has been further extended through implementing additional modules for neoclassical transport and ECH deposition for 3D configurations. A module has also been added for creating systematic data for the International Stellarator–Heliotron Confinement and Profile Database. Improvement of neutral beam injection modules for multiple-ion species plasmas and loose coupling with a large-simulation code are also highlights of recent developments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The time-dependent simulation of CFETR baseline steady-state scenarios

One of the key issues to achieve the phase I mission of China fusion engineering test reactor (CFETR) is steady-state operation with a modest fusion power up to 200 MW. To examine this feasibility, time-dependent modeling of CFETR baseline scenario is performed. The time-dependent scenario design examines actual discharge features, including auxiliary heating and current drive scheme, equilibrium, transport, PF coil systems and plasma control system during the plasma evolution. During plasma current ramp-up, 10 MW of EC or LH heating is used to effectively save volt–second consumption to a reasonable level within magnet coil capability and to reduce li for better plasma control. Three reference scenarios are designed to target full non-inductive operation with different external heating and current drive (H&CD), which are NB + EC, NB + LH, and LH + EC, respectively. Two scenarios with neutral beams reach the required fusion power of CFETR phase I target, while for LH + EC scenario the fusion power and confinement is somewhat lower. A reversed magnetic shear with q min > 2 is sustained with off-axis current drive and bootstrap current for all cases examined. Ideal MHD analysis shows that both large toroidal mode number n ballooning mode and low n kink mode are stable in the three reference cases independent of whether the current is totally relaxed or not. The L mode and H–L back transition ramp-down are designed to successfully reduce the plasma current to 2 MA and keep li below 2 with ramp-down rate of 80 kA s -1 . The H–L back transition ramp-down yields improvements in the power transfer and coil current evolution as well as the li evolution. The heating and current drive characteristics of three auxiliary heating sources are indicated by scanning studies. A 2D scan of NB energy and tangency radius indicates the features of NB power deposition, current drive, torque and shine through issue. Both ramp-up and flattop are considered in the scanning of radio frequency parameters. For EC waves, the ramp-up phase constrains the parameter space more. The 2D scan of EC launch angle shows that EC waves launched above the midplane yield a better CD efficiency than using a midplane launcher. Specifically, 10 MW of EC waves launched from LFS above the midplane yield a maximum on axis driven current of about 0.55 MA, while waves launched from top yield a maximum near edge driven current of about 0.45 MA in the region of ρ > 0.5. Scanning of n $\parallel$ in LH spectrum shows that n $\parallel$ should be set around 1.7 to get enough penetration (inside ρ = 0.7) for current drive and avoid strong accessibility problem. It is found that LH waves launched from HFS drives more current than that launched from LFS when n $\parallel$ is small. The maximum LH driven current reaches 1.1 MA with 10 MW of LH power launched from HFS.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Effect of magnetic field configuration on the multiply charged ion and plume characteristics in Hall thruster plasmas

Multiply charged ions and plume characteristics in Hall thruster plasmas are investigated with regard to magnetic field configuration. Differences in the plume shape and the fraction of ions with different charge states are demonstrated by the counter-current and co-current magnetic field configurations, respectively. The significantly larger number of multiply charged and higher charge state ions including Xe{sup 4+} are observed in the co-current configuration than in the counter-current configuration. The large fraction of multiply charged ions and high ion currents in this experiment may be related to the strong electron confinement, which is due to the strong magnetic mirror effect in the co-current magnetic field configuration.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Extreme ultra-violet burst, particle heating, and whistler wave emission in fast magnetic reconnection induced by kink-driven Rayleigh-Taylor instability

A spatially localized energetic extreme ultra-violet (EUV) burst is imaged at the presumed position of fast magnetic reconnection in a plasma jet produced by a coaxial helicity injection source; this EUV burst indicates strong localized electron heating. A circularly polarized high frequency magnetic field perturbation is simultaneously observed at some distance from the reconnection region indicating that the reconnection emits whistler waves and that Hall dynamics likely governs the reconnection. Spectroscopic measurement also shows simultaneous fast ion heating. The electron heating is consistent with Ohmic dissipation, while the ion heating is consistent with ion trajectories becoming stochastic.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Dynamics of a reconnection-driven runaway ion tail in a reversed field pinch plasma

While reconnection-driven ion heating is common in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, the underlying mechanisms for converting magnetic to kinetic energy remain not fully understood. Reversed field pinch discharges are often characterized by rapid ion heating during impulsive reconnection, generating an ion distribution with an enhanced bulk temperature, mainly perpendicular to magnetic field. In the Madison Symmetric Torus, a subset of discharges with the strongest reconnection events develop a very anisotropic, high energy tail parallel to magnetic field in addition to bulk perpendicular heating, which produces a fusion neutron flux orders of magnitude higher than that expected from a Maxwellian distribution. Here, we demonstrate that two factors in addition to a perpendicular bulk heating mechanism must be considered to explain this distribution. First, ion runaway can occur in the strong parallel-to-B electric field induced by a rapid equilibrium change triggered by reconnection-based relaxation; this effect is particularly strong on perpendicularly heated ions which experience a reduced frictional drag relative to bulk ions. Second, the confinement of ions varies dramatically as a function of velocity. Whereas thermal ions are governed by stochastic diffusion along tearing-altered field lines (and radial diffusion increases with parallel speed), sufficiently energetic ions are well confined, only weakly affected by a stochastic magnetic field. High energy ions traveling mainly in the direction of toroidal plasma current are nearly classically confined, while counter-propagating ions experience an intermediate confinement, greater than that of thermal ions but significantly less than classical expectations. The details of ion confinement tend to reinforce the asymmetric drive of the parallel electric field, resulting in a very asymmetric, anisotropic distribution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Magnetohydrodynamically generated velocities in confined plasma

We investigate by numerical simulation the rotational flows in a toroid confining a conducting magnetofluid in which a current is driven by the application of externally supported electric and magnetic fields. The computation involves no microscopic instabilities and is purely magnetohydrodynamic (MHD). We show how the properties and intensity of the rotations are regulated by dimensionless numbers (Lundquist and viscous Lundquist) that contain the resistivity and viscosity of the magnetofluid. At the magnetohydrodynamic level (uniform mass density and incompressible magnetofluids), rotational flows appear in toroidal, driven MHD. The evolution of these flows with the transport coefficients, geometry, and safety factor are described.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Epitaxial patterning of nanometer-thick Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 films with low magnetic damping

Magnetic insulators such as yttrium iron garnet, Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 , with extremely low magnetic damping have opened the door for low power spin-orbitronics due to their low energy dissipation and effcient spin current generation and transmission. We demonstrate reliable and effcient epitaxial growth and nanopatterning of Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 thin-film based nanostructures on insulating Gd 3 Ga 5 O 12 substrates. In particular, our fabrication process is compatible with conventional sputtering and liftoff, and does not require aggressive ion milling which may be detrimental to the oxide thin films. Structural and magnetic properties indicate good qualities, in particular low magnetic damping of both films and patterned structures. The dynamic magnetic properties of the nanostructures are systematically investigated as a function of the lateral dimension. By comparing to ferromagnetic nanowire structures, a distinct edge mode in addition to the main mode is identified by both experiments and simulations, which also exhibits cross-over with the main mode upon varying the width of the wires. In conclusion, the non-linear evolution of dynamic modes over nanostructural dimensions highlights the important role of size confinement to their material properties in magnetic devices where Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 nanostructures serve as the key functional component.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

OBSERVATIONS OF A SERIES OF FLARES AND ASSOCIATED JET-LIKE ERUPTIONS DRIVEN BY THE EMERGENCE OF TWISTED MAGNETIC FIELDS

We studied temporal changes of morphological and magnetic properties of a succession of four confined flares followed by an eruptive flare using the high-resolution New Solar Telescope (NST) operating at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) magnetograms and Atmospheric Image Assembly (AIA) EUV images provided by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). From the NST/Hα and the SDO/AIA 304 Å observations we found that each flare developed a jet structure that evolved in a manner similar to evolution of the blowout jet: (1) an inverted-Y-shaped jet appeared and drifted away from its initial position; (2) jets formed a curtain-like structure that consisted of many fine threads accompanied by subsequent brightenings near the footpoints of the fine threads; and finally, (3) the jet showed a twisted structure visible near the flare maximum. Analysis of the HMI data showed that both the negative magnetic flux and the magnetic helicity have been gradually increasing in the positive-polarity region, indicating the continuous injection of magnetic twist before and during the series of flares. Based on these results, we suggest that the continuous emergence of twisted magnetic flux played an important role in producing successive flares and developing a series of blowout jets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Development of a beam ion velocity detector for the heavy ion beam probe

In an axisymmetric plasma, the conservation of canonical angular momentum constrains heavy ion beam probe (HIBP) trajectories such that measurement of the toroidal velocity component of secondary ions provides a localized determination of the poloidal flux at the volume where they originated. We have developed a prototype detector which is designed to determine the beam angle in one dimension through the detection of ion current landing on two parallel planes of detecting elements. A set of apertures creates a pattern of ion current on wires in the first plane and solid metal plates behind them; the relative amounts detected by the wires and plates determine the angle which beam ions enter the detector, which is used to infer the toroidal velocity component. The design evolved from a series of simulations within which we modeled ion beam velocity changes due to equilibrium and fluctuating magnetic fields, along with the ion beam profile and velocity dispersion, and studied how these and characteristics such as the size, cross section, and spacing of the detector elements affect performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Interplay between the non-resonant streaming instability and self-generated pressure anisotropies

The non-thermal particles escaping from collision-less shocks into the surrounding medium can trigger a non-resonant streaming instability that converts parts of their drift kinetic energy into large amplitude magnetic field perturbations, and promote the confinement and acceleration of high energy cosmic rays. We present simulations of the instability using an hybrid-Particle-in-Cell approach including Monte Carlo collisions, and demonstrate that the development of the non-resonant mode is associated with important ion pressure anisotropies in the background plasma. Depending on the initial conditions, the anisotropies may act on the instability by lowering its growth and trigger secondary micro-instabilities. Introducing collisions with neutrals yield a strong reduction of the magnetic field amplification as predicted by linear fluid theory. In contrast, Coulomb collisions in fully ionized plasmas are found to mitigate the self-generated pressure anisotropies and promote the growth of the magnetic field.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Energy spectrum of longitudinal ion losses in the GDT facility under development of Alfvén ion-cyclotron instability

The influence of Alfvén ion cyclotron instability on the longitudinal losses of particles and energy from the GDT gas-dynamic trap was studied experimentally. To record the energy spectrum of ions escaping from the facility along magnetic field lines, a wide-range energy analyzer was attached to the expander. Processing of the experimental data made it possible to determine the time evolution of the ion energy distribution function and showed that the relative increase in the loss power during the development of instability did not exceed 1%. This result confirms the main conclusion of the theoretical model describing the interaction between an Alfvén wave and resonance particles and predicting that this microinstability insignificantly affects the confinement of hot ions in open magnetic traps.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗