Deuterium-tritium simulations of the enhanced reversed shear mode in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872307· OSTI ID:544563

Mikkelsen, D R; Manickam, J; Scott, S D; Zarnstorff, M C ^[1]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)

The potential performance, in deuterium-tritium plasmas, of a new enhanced confinement regime with reversed magnetic shear [enhanced reversed shear (ERS) mode] is assessed. The equilibrium conditions for an ERS mode plasma are estimated by solving the plasma transport equations using the thermal and particle diffusivities measured in a short duration ERS mode discharge in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor [F. M. Levinton {ital et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 75}, 4417 (1995)]. The plasma performance depends strongly on Z{sub eff} and neutral beam penetration to the core. The steady-state projections typically have a central electron density of {approximately}2.5{times}10{sup 20} m{sup {minus}3} and nearly equal central electron and ion temperatures of {approximately}10 keV. In time-dependent simulations the peak fusion power, {approximately} 25 MW, is twice the steady-state level. Peak performance occurs during the density rise when the central ion temperature is close to the optimal value of {approximately}15 keV. The simulated pressure profiles can be stable to ideal magnetohydrodynamic instabilities with toroidal mode number n=1,2,3,4 and {infinity} for {beta}{sub norm} up to 2.5; the simulations have {beta}{sub norm}{le}2.1. The enhanced reversed shear mode may thus provide an opportunity to conduct alpha physics experiments in conditions similar to those proposed for advanced tokamak reactors. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 544563
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 4; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
D-T REACTORS
DEUTERIUM
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ION TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT
MHD EQUILIBRIUM
NEUTRAL ATOM BEAM INJECTION
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DISRUPTION
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA PRESSURE
PLASMA RADIAL PROFILES
PLASMA SIMULATION
TFTR TOKAMAK
TRANSPORT THEORY
TRITIUM