arXiv subjects

C. Wüthrich

Publications and source records attributed to C. Wüthrich.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Comparison of filament properties in real-size GBS simulations and experiments of TCV-X21

A direct quantitative comparison of Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) filament properties from fluid turbulence simulations using the GBS code and from experiments on the TCV tokamak is performed within the TCV-X21 validation case. This comparison is made possible by extending the open TCV-X21 dataset with 2D turbulence measurements obtained with Gas Puff Imaging (GPI), providing critical information on the size, velocity, and other key characteristics of turbulent filaments at the outboard midplane and in the divertor region. For the comparison, GBS simulations of TCV-X21 are analyzed using a dedicated synthetic GPI diagnostic that models the neutral helium-plasma interaction and emission processes and accounts for line-integration effects. Poloidal and radial filament velocities are found to be in good agreement between simulations and experiments, while the simulations overestimate the filament radial and poloidal sizes and underestimate the relative fluctuation levels. The simulations further indicate that filaments in the SOL are predominantly represented by density perturbations rather than temperature perturbations, consistent with previous assumptions in experimental analyses of cross-field turbulent transport from GPI data. The poloidal velocity direction of the filaments agrees with the time-averaged $\boldsymbol{E}\times\boldsymbol{B}$ direction at the outboard midplane and X-point region, but not in the divertor leg. Possible explanations are proposed and discussed, highlighting the influence of the instantaneous $\boldsymbol{E}\times\boldsymbol{B}$ velocity components in both poloidal and radial directions. This study provides new insights into turbulent filament behavior and contributes to guiding future efforts to improve first-principles simulations of the boundary plasma.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Parallel flows as a key component to interpret Super-X divertor experiments

The Super-X Divertor (SXD) is an alternative divertor configuration leveraging total flux expansion at the Outer Strike Point (OSP). While the extended 2-Point Model (2PM) predicts facilitated detachment access and control in the SXD configuration, these attractive features are not always retrieved experimentally. These discrepancies are at least partially explained by the effect of parallel flows which, when self-consistently included in the 2PM, reveal the role of total flux expansion on the pressure balance and weaken the total flux expansion effect on detachment access and control, compared to the original predictions. This new model can partially explain the discrepancies between the 2PM and experiments performed on tokamak à configuration variable (TCV), in ohmic L-mode scenarios, which are particularly apparent when scanning the OSP major radius Rt. In core density ramps in lower Single-Null (SN) configuration, the impact of Rt on the CIII emission front movement in the divertor outer leg - used as a proxy for the plasma temperature in the divertor - is substantially weaker than 2PM predictions. Furthermore, in OSP radial sweeps in lower and upper SN configurations, in ohmic L-mode scenarios with a constant core density, the peak parallel particle flux density at the OSP is almost independent of Rt, while the 2PM predicts a linear dependence. Finally, analytical and numerical modeling of parallel flows in the divertor is presented. It is shown that an increase in total flux expansion can favour supersonic flows at the OSP. Parallel flows are also shown to be relevant by analysing SOLPS-ITER simulations of TCV.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2021

Validation of edge turbulence codes against the TCV-X21 diverted L-mode reference case

Self-consistent full-size turbulent-transport simulations of the divertor and SOL of existing tokamaks have recently become feasible. This enables the direct comparison of turbulence simulations against experimental measurements. In this work, we perform a series of diverted Ohmic L-mode discharges on the TCV tokamak, building a first-of-a-kind dataset for the validation of edge turbulence models. This dataset, referred to as TCV-X21, contains measurements from 5 diagnostic systems -- giving a total of 45 1- and 2-D comparison observables in two toroidal magnetic field directions. The dataset is used to validate three flux-driven 3D fluid-turbulence models: GBS, GRILLIX and TOKAM3X. With each model, we perform simulations of the TCV-X21 scenario, tuning the particle and power source rates to achieve a reasonable match of the upstream separatrix value of density and electron temperature. We find that the simulations match the experimental profiles for most observables at the OMP -- both in terms of profile shape and absolute magnitude -- while a poorer agreement is found towards the divertor targets. The match between simulation and experiment is seen to be sensitive to the value of the resistivity, the heat conductivities, the power injection rate and the choice of sheath boundary conditions. Additionally, despite targeting a sheath-limited regime, the discrepancy between simulations and experiment also suggests that the neutral dynamics should be included. The results of this validation show that turbulence models are able to perform simulations of existing devices and achieve reasonable agreement with experimental measurements. Where disagreement is found, the validation helps to identify how the models can be improved. By publicly releasing the experimental dataset, this work should help to guide and accelerate the development of predictive turbulence simulations of the edge and SOL.

physics.plasm-ph↗