Multi-scale turbulence simulation suggesting improvement of electron heated plasma confinement

Shinya Maeyama (), Tomo-Hiko Watanabe, Motoki Nakata, Masanori Nunami, Yuuichi Asahi and Akihiro Ishizawa
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Shinya Maeyama: Nagoya University
Tomo-Hiko Watanabe: Nagoya University
Motoki Nakata: National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Masanori Nunami: Nagoya University
Yuuichi Asahi: Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Akihiro Ishizawa: Kyoto University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Turbulent transport is a key physics process for confining magnetic fusion plasma. Recent theoretical and experimental studies of existing fusion experimental devices revealed the existence of cross-scale interactions between small (electron)-scale and large (ion)-scale turbulence. Since conventional turbulent transport modelling lacks cross-scale interactions, it should be clarified whether cross-scale interactions are needed to be considered in future experiments on burning plasma, whose high electron temperature is sustained with fusion-born alpha particle heating. Here, we present supercomputer simulations showing that electron-scale turbulence in high electron temperature plasma can affect the turbulent transport of not only electrons but also fuels and ash. Electron-scale turbulence disturbs the trajectories of resonant electrons responsible for ion-scale micro-instability and suppresses large-scale turbulent fluctuations. Simultaneously, ion-scale turbulent eddies also suppress electron-scale turbulence. These results indicate a mutually exclusive nature of turbulence with disparate scales. We demonstrate the possibility of reduced heat flux via cross-scale interactions.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30852-0

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