Rotation driven by fast ions in tokamaks

Journal Article · Thu Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2007 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2801716· OSTI ID:21069895

Thyagaraja, A; Schwander, F; McClements, K G ^[1]

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1. EURATOM/UKAEA Fusion Association, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB (United Kingdom)

Collective fast ion effects on flows in tokamaks are investigated analytically and numerically. A general analysis of noncollisional electrodynamic momentum transfer from fast ions to bulk plasma is presented, with polarization effects and dissipation in the bulk plasma taken into account. The analysis is illustrated using idealized simulations of fast ion orbits and radial electric fields in the Mega-Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST) [A. Sykes, R. J. Akers, L. C. Appel et al., Nucl. Fusion 41, 1423 (2001)], the Joint European Torus (JET) [P. H. Rebut et al., Nucl. Fusion 25, 1011 (1985)], and ITER [R. Aymar, P. Barabaschi, and Y. Shimomura, Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 44, 519 (2002)]. In the MAST simulation, prompt losses of beam ions injected counter to the plasma current drive up a radial electric field that saturates at a level such that beam ions subsequently injected are confined electrostatically. Although the actual radial electric fields in counterinjected MAST discharges are lower than this, the scenario explored in the simulation would be approached in MAST plasmas with sufficiently low collisionality. The JET simulation, although unrealistic, shows that a similar process could be driven by losses of fusion {alpha}-particles from a burning plasma. Test-particle simulations of {alpha}-particles in ITER suggest that performance-limiting instabilities such as neoclassical tearing modes and resistive wall modes could be affected significantly by flows associated with radial fast particle currents.

• OSTI ID: 21069895
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 14, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2801716; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALPHA PARTICLES
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
IONS
ITER TOKAMAK
MAST TOKAMAK
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
NEOCLASSICAL TRANSPORT THEORY
ORBITS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA SIMULATION
POLARIZATION
ROTATION
SPHERICAL CONFIGURATION
TEARING INSTABILITY