2025 – Reserve for scenario that shows the most promise for pushing to absolute parameters

Reserve for scenario that shows the most promise for pushing to absolute parameters

2025 Research Campaign, Thrust: Shape Rise Divertor

Purpose of Experiment

This experiment aims to make use of the recently achieved progress on the SVR ELMy and RMP ELMy scenario to push to absolute parameters by accessing the SH channel and extend the duration of the high performance long enough.

Experimental Approach

Future burning plasma devices will operate at both low collisionality and high density. In present devices, however, this is a challenging set of conditions to meet simultaneously. The SVR Thrust aims to achieve such conditions through high power and strong shaping, allowing the plasma to operate with the pedestal at the peeling limit in the “Super-H” channel. This overall effort was enabled by modifications to the upper divertor region in DIII-D, to allow effective particle control through cryopumping in these high-triangularity shapes. Experiments in FY24 began development of discharges that would enter this Super-H channel, with a number of front-end operating scenarios including the ELMy H-mode (MP2024-16-02), QH-mode (MP2024-16-04). The basic approach to be applied is to develop a high normalized pedestal pressure, βNPED, high normalized pedestal density, ne PED/nGW discharge starting with the previous SVR plasmas at 1.8MA plasma current, increase IP, then use pellets to optimize the nesep/neped ratio required for access to the peeling boundary. Figure 6 shows the discharge trajectory for SVR shot 201991, which achieved the high pressure state for multiple ELM cycles. The goal of this scenario development is to extend that phase and then study CEI. Recently developed coupled EPED/SOLPS simulations, and emerging coupled TGLF/EPED/SOLPS simulations, have led to new physics insights. Notably, that coupling of the pedestal and SOL can change the transition density to ballooning limited regimes in an unfavorable way (making access to Super H and peeling-limited regimes more challenging), but it can also increase performance in those peeling limited regimes substantially. Control techniques for both separatrix (gas puffing) and core (pellets, I-coil) are developing. Also, dynamic pulse simulation using neural net physics models [a technique employed by Meneghini et al on DIII-D, and one being further developed by a new AI/ML project led by Sebastian DePascuale with a focus on dynamic pulse evolution]. These techniques can optimize the parametric trajectory (including accounting for dynamic changes in beam and neutral penetration), predicting the optimal path to follow to approach the Super H channel and encounter the peeling limit at high fusion performance. The experiment will build on experiments conducted in the early stage of the SVR thrust, and on an extensive set of coupled pedestal/SOL and pedestal/SOL/core/actuator simulations. It is expected particularly that data (and model comparison) on scans of shape (triangularity, elongation, squareness) and safety factor will be available. This will enable this experiment to focus on optimization and control of pedestal and separatrix density, and the parametric trajectory. Dynamic transitions from LSN to USN (unfavorable to favorable gradB drift direction), dynamic shape changes, and separate control of separatrix and pedestal density will be employed to test predictions of their impact on performance, and to optimize discharges for both peak and sustained performance. Operation will take place at full field (2.17T) and highly optimized near-DN plasma shape to both optimize peeling mode stability, and decoupling of peeling and ballooning drive. The experiment will take full advantage of the volume rise, and explore sensitivity to outer gaps. This experiment will build on the findings of the previous SVR experiments (through the FY25 Fall Campaign), which are optimizing plasma shape, the L-H transition, divertor leg length, etc. to develop a path to low-collisionality high-density operation, starting with shot 203408. Once in the Super-H channel, pellet fueling will be used to further increase the pedestal pressure and maximize plasma performance. As much as possible, the goal will be to eliminate or minimize gas puffing, to achieve low ne,sep/ne,ped. Characterization of the neutral fueling profile with the LLAMA array will be used to diagnose the recycling source in the absence of gas puffing (the pellet particles are ionized prior to symmetrizing throughout the plasma and thus do not contribute to the LLAMA signals). Combined with edge profile measurements this will characterize the degree to which pumping can reduce the recycling source to achieve low ne,sep/ne,ped and allow operation in a peeling-limited regime. Several adjustments to the pellet fueling source can be made to optimize its effect on the discharge. Primarily, this involves adjustment of the pellet mass and frequency, which can be adjusted independently to modify the per-pellet perturbation while maintaining net fueling rates. Utilizing the capability to control the pellet size in real time (the development of which is proposed separately as an experiment in the Plasma Control area) can minimize L-mode densities in the early phase (to avoid the ballooning-limited branch of the pedestal stability), while allowing maximal fueling rates to be applied following the L-H transition (to maximize achievable pressure).

Interested in learning more about how engagement with DIII-D benefits the fusion industry and supply chain? Join us for the DIII-D Industry Event Day on Nov. 14th! Registration and further information can be found here.

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