Comp Physics of Energetic Particles in Plasmas

The physics of energetic particles is a key component of burning plasma experiments, such as the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER). The principal aim of this proposed center is predictive nonlinear modeling of energetic, particle-driven instabilities and energetic particle transport in burning plasmas through advanced computing. The work will consist of the following three parts: (1) Develop a new gyrokinetic/magneto hydro dynamic hybrid code with kinetic effects from both energetic particles and thermal ions and benchmark it with the NOVA-K code and analytic theory, as well as with a hybrid version of the gyrokinetic elector magnetic code with energetic particle species. The new code will be validated against experimental measurements. (2) Apply the new code to important physics problems, such as fishbone and saw teeth, with energetic particle effects, energetic particle-driven Alfven modes in present-day tokamaks, and alpha particle-driven high-n Toroidal Alfven Eigen Modes/Energetic Particle Modes in ITER. (3) Extend particle domain decomposition of the new code to allow it to run effectively on the most advanced computers. Together with improved numerical algorithms and workflow methods, this will enable us to efficiently simulate high-n Alfven modes in present day tokamak plasmas and in ITER plasmas.