Title: The role of edge resonant magnetic perturbations in edge-localized-mode suppression and density pump-out in low-collisionality DIII-D plasmas

Abstract

Two-fluid nonlinear MHD simulations using the TM1 code demonstrate that the formation of magnetic islands at the top and bottom of the H-mode pedestal, together with the strong screening of resonant fields in the gradient region of the pedestal, can account for ELM suppression and density pump-out by n = 2 resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in low-collisionality DIII-D ITER similar shape (ISS) plasmas. Using experimentally relevant transport coefficients, neoclassical resistivity, electron collisionality, and RMP amplitudes, nonlinear MHD simulations reproduce the observed level of density reduction (density pump-out) in DIII-D due to the formation of narrow magnetic islands in the resistive foot of pedestal. For large amplitude RMPs (B _r/B _t > 1×10^-4) simulations predict resonant field penetration and resulting in pressure reduction at the top of the pedestal, consistent with experimental observations at the onset of ELM suppression. The predicted reduction in the height and width of the pedestal by magnetic island enhanced collisional transport provides a quantitative mechanism for the stabilization of the peeling-ballooning mode (PBM). Importantly, these simulations predict strong screening of resonant fields in the steep gradient region of the pedestal due to strong E×B rotation and diamagnetic flows. Yet, if the plasma resistivity is made artificiallymore » larger (~ 10X) than neoclassical, the simulations predict magnetic stochasticity throughout the plasma edge and the collapse of the pedestal due to the reduction in the penetration threshold with increasing resistivity. A scaling relation for resonant field penetration at the pedestal top, using several hundred nonlinear simulations, reproduces the density and E×B rotation dependence of the ELM suppression threshold observed in DIII-D. Simulations using ITER model equilibria indicate that the penetration threshold at the top of the ITER pedestal will be lower than in DIII-D due to the anticipated lower perpendicular flow velocities in ITER, resulting in the weaker screening of resonant fields.« less

Authors:

Hu, Q. M.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Hu, Q. M."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-8877-4988"

Nazikian, R.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Nazikian, R."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-6235-6692"

Grierson, B. A.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Grierson, B. A."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-5918-6506"

Logan, N. C.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Logan, N. C."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3268-7359"

Paz-Soldan, C.  ^[2];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Paz-Soldan, C."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-5069-4934"

Yu, Q. ^[3]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
2. General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
3. Max Planck Society, Garching (Germany). Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics

Publication Date:

Mon May 25 00:00:00 EDT 2020

Research Org.:

General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States); Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

OSTI Identifier:

1631030

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1630971

Grant/Contract Number:  

FC02-04ER54698; AC02-09CH11466; FOA-0001386; SC0015878; DESC0015878

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Nuclear Fusion

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 60; Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 0029-5515

Publisher:

IOP Science

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; ELM suppression; resonant magnetic perturbations; density pump-out; resonant field penetration