Tokamak ITG-KBM transition benchmarking with the mixed variables/pullback transformation electromagnetic gyrokinetic scheme

Nonlinear electromagnetic gyrokinetic simulations of tokamak plasmas

One of the central physics issues currently targeted by nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations is the role of finite-β effects. The latter change the MHD equilibrium, introduce new dynamical space and time scales, alter and enlarge the zoo of electrostatic microinstabilities and saturation mechanisms, and lead to turbulent transport along fluctuating magnetic field lines. It is shown that the electr...

Fully electromagnetic nonlinear gyrokinetic equations for tokamak edge turbulence

Transport Properties of Finite-β Microturbulence

Via nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations, microturbulent transport is investigated for electromagnetic Trapped Electron Mode (TEM) and Ion Temperature Gradient (ITG) tokamak core turbulence with β up to and beyond the Kinetic Ballooning Mode (KBM) threshold. Deviations from linear expectations are explained by zonal flow activity in the TEM case. For the ITG scenario, β-induced changes are observe...

Gyrokinetic simulations of ETG and ITG turbulence

We report on the resolution of a significant discrepancy between published continuum-code simulations and subsequent global particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of electron-temperature-gradient (ETG) turbulence. Our investigations, using gyrokinetic δf -PICand continuum-code simulations and analytical theory, strongly support the conclusion from the earlier continuum-code simulations that ETG tur...

Gyrokinetic Simulations of Tokamak Microturbulence

University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA (1) Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, EURATOM, 85748 Garching, Germany (2) Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712 (3) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, 08543 (4) Fusion Research Center, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712 (5) General Atomics, La Jolla, CA (6) Plasma Science an...