Title: High-performance finite-difference time-domain simulations of C-Mod and ITER RF antennas

Abstract

Finite-difference time-domain methods have, in recent years, developed powerful capabilities for modeling realistic ICRF behavior in fusion plasmas [1, 2, 3, 4]. When coupled with the power of modern high-performance computing platforms, such techniques allow the behavior of antenna near and far fields, and the flow of RF power, to be studied in realistic experimental scenarios at previously inaccessible levels of resolution. In this talk, we present results and 3D animations from high-performance FDTD simulations on the Titan Cray XK7 supercomputer, modeling both Alcator C-Mod’s field-aligned ICRF antenna and the ITER antenna module. Much of this work focuses on scans over edge density, and tailored edge density profiles, to study dispersion and the physics of slow wave excitation in the immediate vicinity of the antenna hardware and SOL. An understanding of the role of the lower-hybrid resonance in low-density scenarios is emerging, and possible implications of this for the NSTX launcher and power balance are also discussed. In addition, we discuss ongoing work centered on using these simulations to estimate sputtering and impurity production, as driven by the self-consistent sheath potentials at antenna surfaces.

Authors:

Jenkins, Thomas G. ^[1]; Smithe, David N. ^[1]

---

+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Tech-X Corporation, Boulder, CO (United States)

Publication Date:

2015-12-10

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC)

OSTI Identifier:

1567384

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

AIP Conference Proceedings

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 1689

Publisher:

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; Physics