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17–22 Oct 2016
Kyoto International Conference Center
Japan timezone

First-Principle Simulations Reproduce Multiple Cycles of Abrupt Large Relaxation Events in Beam-Driven JT-60 Plasmas

20 Oct 2016, 12:05
20m
Kyoto International Conference Center

Kyoto International Conference Center

Takaragaike, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0001 Japan
Oral THW - Magnetic Confinement Theory and Modelling: Wave–plasma interactions; current drive; heating; energetic particles Energetic Particles Physics

Speaker

Dr Andreas Bierwage (Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA))

Description

Using the high-performance supercomputer Helios and advanced numerical methods, first-principle simulations of fast-ion-driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes have, for the first time, reproduced multiple cycles of so-called "Abrupt Large Events (ALE)" as observed in beam-driven high-beta JT-60 tokamak experiments. This is a major milestone because, unlike experiments, such simulations can provide us with physical information at arbitrary levels of detail. This is required for clarifying the mechanism that triggers ALEs as well as for the development and verification of reduced models that are urgently needed for predictive simulations of fast ion dynamics in burning-plasma-relevant experiments (such as JT-60SA and ITER) and power plant design (DEMO). In this paper, we describe the numerical methods used, validate the results against experimental data from JT-60, and present first new physics insights that were obtained from the analysis of the simulation results. For instance, it is shown that ALEs occur when multiple fast-ion-driven modes with different toroidal wavelengths grow to large amplitudes while interacting nonlinearly. This multi-wavelength-nature of ALEs was subsequently confirmed experimentally, which demonstrates the predictive capability of these simulations. Moreover, it is shown that these long-time simulations yield more accurate and detailed predictions for the fast ion density profile and velocity distribution, even in the presence of strong Alfven mode activity.
Country or International Organization Japan
Paper Number TH/4-3

Primary author

Dr Andreas Bierwage (Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA))

Co-authors

Dr Go Matsunaga (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) Dr Kouji Shinohara (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) Dr Manabu Takechi (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) Dr Masatoshi Yagi (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) Dr Mitsunori Toma (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) Dr Nobuyuki Aiba (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) Dr Yasushi Todo (National Institute for Fusion Science)

Presentation materials