Parametric raytracing modeling for NSTX-U scenario development with high harmonic fast waves and neutral beam injection

  • B. Van Compernolle
  • , X. Jian
  • , N. Bertelli
  • , S. Desai
  • , J. B. Lestz
  • , J. McClenaghan
  • , M. Ono
  • , R. I. Pinsker
  • , K. Thome

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

High harmonic fast waves (HHFW) are a versatile heating and current drive tool for scenario development. Extensive modeling scans were performed to find optimal parameters for different uses of HHFW in National Spherical Tokamak Experiment (NSTX-U). Scans of plasma density, temperature, magnetic field, and antenna phasing were performed both with and without neutral beam injection. For speed of calculation, the ray-tracing code GENRAY coupled to the quasilinear Fokker-Planck code CQL3D was used. CQL3D allows for a more accurate description of the fast ion population, as well as for quasilinear effects such as HHFW-induced modifications of the distribution function. Best current drive results are obtained at elevated electron temperatures and with the lowest kφ phasing. Adding neutral beams however typically strongly reduces the HHFW current drive efficiency at the low density cases due to HHFW absorption on beam ions. Results of this parametric study will feed into scenario development and predict-first whole-shot modeling of NSTX-U discharges.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number065018
JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Volume67
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 30 2025

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Keywords

  • NSTX-U
  • high harmonic fast wave
  • modeling
  • parametric
  • raytracing
  • scenarios

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