Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Verhaegh, K., Harrison, J. R., Moulton, D., Lipschultz, B., Lonigro, N., Osborne, N., Ryan, P., Theiler, C., Wijkamp, T., Brida, D., Cowley, C., Derks, G., Doyle, R., Federici, F., Kool, B., Février, O., Hakola, A., Henderson, S., Reimerdes, H., Thornton, A. J., Vianello, N., Wischmeier, M., Xiang, L.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08586
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866910967880744960
author Verhaegh, K.
Harrison, J. R.
Moulton, D.
Lipschultz, B.
Lonigro, N.
Osborne, N.
Ryan, P.
Theiler, C.
Wijkamp, T.
Brida, D.
Cowley, C.
Derks, G.
Doyle, R.
Federici, F.
Kool, B.
Février, O.
Hakola, A.
Henderson, S.
Reimerdes, H.
Thornton, A. J.
Vianello, N.
Wischmeier, M.
Xiang, L.
author_facet Verhaegh, K.
Harrison, J. R.
Moulton, D.
Lipschultz, B.
Lonigro, N.
Osborne, N.
Ryan, P.
Theiler, C.
Wijkamp, T.
Brida, D.
Cowley, C.
Derks, G.
Doyle, R.
Federici, F.
Kool, B.
Février, O.
Hakola, A.
Henderson, S.
Reimerdes, H.
Thornton, A. J.
Vianello, N.
Wischmeier, M.
Xiang, L.
contents Exhausting power from the hot fusion core to the plasma-facing components is one of the biggest challenges in fusion energy. The MAST Upgrade tokamak uniquely integrates strong containment of neutrals within the exhaust area (divertor) with extreme divertor shaping capability. By systematically altering the divertor shape, this study shows the strongest evidence to date that long-legged divertors with a high magnetic field gradient (total flux expansion) deliver key power exhaust benefits without adversely impacting the hot fusion core. These benefits are already achieved with relatively modest geometry adjustments that are more feasible to integrate in reactor designs. Benefits include reduced target heat loads and improved access to, and stability of, a neutral gas buffer that 'shields' the target and enhances power exhaust (detachment). Analysis and model comparisons shows these benefits are obtained by combining multiple shaping aspects: long-legged divertors have expanded plasma-neutral interaction volume that drive reductions in particle and power loads, while total flux expansion enhances detachment access and stability. Containing the neutrals in the exhaust area with physical structures further augments these shaping benefits. These results demonstrate strategic variation in the divertor geometry and magnetic topology is a potential solution to one of fusion's biggest challenges: power exhaust.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2311_08586
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Divertor shaping with neutral baffling as a solution to the tokamak power exhaust challenge
Verhaegh, K.
Harrison, J. R.
Moulton, D.
Lipschultz, B.
Lonigro, N.
Osborne, N.
Ryan, P.
Theiler, C.
Wijkamp, T.
Brida, D.
Cowley, C.
Derks, G.
Doyle, R.
Federici, F.
Kool, B.
Février, O.
Hakola, A.
Henderson, S.
Reimerdes, H.
Thornton, A. J.
Vianello, N.
Wischmeier, M.
Xiang, L.
Plasma Physics
Exhausting power from the hot fusion core to the plasma-facing components is one of the biggest challenges in fusion energy. The MAST Upgrade tokamak uniquely integrates strong containment of neutrals within the exhaust area (divertor) with extreme divertor shaping capability. By systematically altering the divertor shape, this study shows the strongest evidence to date that long-legged divertors with a high magnetic field gradient (total flux expansion) deliver key power exhaust benefits without adversely impacting the hot fusion core. These benefits are already achieved with relatively modest geometry adjustments that are more feasible to integrate in reactor designs. Benefits include reduced target heat loads and improved access to, and stability of, a neutral gas buffer that 'shields' the target and enhances power exhaust (detachment). Analysis and model comparisons shows these benefits are obtained by combining multiple shaping aspects: long-legged divertors have expanded plasma-neutral interaction volume that drive reductions in particle and power loads, while total flux expansion enhances detachment access and stability. Containing the neutrals in the exhaust area with physical structures further augments these shaping benefits. These results demonstrate strategic variation in the divertor geometry and magnetic topology is a potential solution to one of fusion's biggest challenges: power exhaust.
title Divertor shaping with neutral baffling as a solution to the tokamak power exhaust challenge
topic Plasma Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08586