Verification of gyrokinetic particle simulations of neoclassical tearing modes in fusion plasmas
The ability to simulate neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) in the gyrokinetic toroidal code (GTC) has been developed and verified, in which ions are treated with a gyrokinetic model and electrons are treated as a resistive fluid. The simulation results demonstrate that the neoclassical bootstrap current effect can destabilize an otherwise stable classical tearing mode. In the cylindrical geometry, GTC simulations in the magnetohydrodynamic limit show quantitative agreement with the modified Rutherford theory, both in terms of the scaling law in the small island limit and in terms of the saturation level and pressure flattening effect in the large island limit. The toroidal effects are slightly destabilizing for the NTM, while the kinetic effects of thermal ions are stabilizing for the NTM and increase its excitation threshold.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 2582249
- Journal Information:
- Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Journal Name: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 65; ISSN 0741-3335
- Publisher:
- IOP ScienceCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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