Predictions of core plasma performance for the Infinity Two fusion pilot plant

  • W. Guttenfelder
  • , N. R. Mandell
  • , G. Le Bars
  • , L. Singh
  • , A. Bader
  • , K. Camacho Mata
  • , J. M. Canik
  • , L. Carbajal
  • , A. Cerfon
  • , N. M. Davila
  • , W. D. Dorland
  • , C. C. Hegna
  • , C. Holland
  • , D. P. Huet
  • , M. Landreman
  • , C. Lau
  • , A. Malkus
  • , B. Medasani
  • , J. Morrissey
  • , J. C. Schmitt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transport characteristics and predicted confinement are shown for the Infinity Two fusion pilot plant baseline plasma physics design, a high field stellarator concept developed using modern optimization techniques. Transport predictions are made using high-fidelity nonlinear gyrokinetic turbulence simulations along with drift kinetic neoclassical simulations. A pellet-fuelled scenario is proposed that enables supporting an edge density gradient to substantially reduce ion temperature gradient turbulence. Trapped electron mode turbulence is minimized through the quasi-isodynamic configuration that has been optimized with maximum-J. A baseline operating point with deuterium-tritium fusion power of MW with high fusion gain is demonstrated, respecting the Sudo density limit and magnetohydrodynamic stability limits. Additional higher power operating points are also predicted, including a fully ignited case with GW. Pellet ablation calculations indicate it is plausible to fuel and sustain the desired density profile. Impurity transport calculations indicate that turbulent fluxes dominate neoclassical fluxes deep into the core, and it is predicted that impurity peaking will be smaller than assumed in the transport simulations. A path to access the large radiation fraction needed to satisfy exhaust requirements while sustaining core performance is also discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberE83
JournalJournal of Plasma Physics
Volume91
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 24 2025
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Fusion Plasma
  • Plasma Confinement

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