arXiv subjects

E. Ascasíbar

Publications and source records attributed to E. Ascasíbar.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Characterization of NBI-driven shear Alfvén waves in the TJ-II stellarator using Mirnov probes and electrostatic potential fluctuation measurements

We present the first experimental measurements of the toroidal mode number of shear Alfvén waves in the TJ-II stellarator. A series of experiments were carried out in three different magnetic configurations to investigate counter-NBI driven modes. Co- and counter- electron-cyclotron current drive was used to modify the rotational transform (\iotabar) profile leading to the destabilization of a varied set of Alfvén eigenmodes with different frequencies and mode numbers. To characterize the spatial structure of the modes we have used two Mirnov probe arrays, one dedicated to the measurement of the poloidal mode number and the other, a recently commissioned helical tri-axial array, dedicated to the measurement of the toroidal mode number. A heavy ion beam probe, operated in radial sweep mode, was employed to characterize the radial location of the modes. We show that the induced changes in \iotabar, that are fundamental when it comes to validation studies, cannot be measured experimentally with motional Stark effect so, instead, the shielding current diffusion equation is solved in cylindrical geometry to estimate these changes. We calculate the incompressible shear Alfvén continuum for selected cases using \texttt{STELLGAP} and find reasonable consistency with observations. A database with the observed modes has been created, so that it can be used in future work for theory validation purposes.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Exploring the operational limits of poloidal and helical arrays of Mirnov coils in stellarators by means of a synthetic diagnostic

A synthetic Mirnov coils diagnostic for non-axisymmetric magnetic configurations is presented and used to study the capabilities of the poloidal array of single-axis coils and the two helical arrays of tri-axial coils installed in the TJ-II stellarator. This tool integrates the plasma currents induced by Alfvén-like perturbations of the electric potential inside the plasma and provides the induced magnetic field oscillations anywhere outside of it. The simulated signals can then be analyzed in the same manner as the experimental ones, and a scan on the radial position and width of the potential perturbation is conducted to find the limiting values that produce identifiable signals. We find, not surprisingly, that core-localized modes are indistinguishable from one another; and that the identification of low-n, low-m modes is often subject to off-by-one errors. We also determine the optimal polarization basis in which to analyze the tri-axial coils signals and address the diagnostic performance when resolving components of gap modes. Additionally, selected cases have been analyzed with a simplified plasma response model, showing that plasma shielding of the mode currents may further deteriorate the accuracy of the mode identification method. We conclude with the analysis of an experimental case taken from the TJ-II database to illustrate the usefulness of the diagnostic.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2016

The causal impact of magnetic fluctuations in slow and fast L-H transitions at TJ-II

This work focuses on the relationship between L-H (or L-I) transitions and MHD activity in the low magnetic shear TJ-II stellarator. It is shown that the presence of a low order rational surface in the plasma edge (gradient) region lowers the threshold density for H-mode access. MHD activity is systematically suppressed near the confinement transition. We apply a causality detection technique (based on the Transfer Entropy) to study the relation between magnetic oscillations and locally measured plasma rotation velocity (related to Zonal Flows). For this purpose, we study a large number of discharges in two magnetic configurations, corresponding to 'fast' and 'slow' transitions. With the 'slow' transitions, the developing Zonal Flow prior to the transition is associated with the gradual reduction of magnetic oscillations. The transition itself is marked by a strong spike of 'information transfer' from magnetic to velocity oscillations, suggesting that the magnetic drive may play a role in setting up the final sheared flow responsible for the H-mode transport barrier. Similar observations were made for the 'fast' transitions. Thus, it is shown that magnetic oscillations associated with rational surfaces play an important and active role in confinement transitions, so that electromagnetic effects should be included in any complete transition model.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2013

Magnetic configuration sweep control in Heliac type stellarators

A novel magnetic configuration sweep control system for the TJ-II Heliac device is described. The system is prepared to establish a reference for plasma, torus or vessel current while the coil configuration currents are swept during a single plasma discharge. It can also be run in a special simulation mode, which does not require powering the TJ-II device, intended for commissioning and experiment preparation purposes. Preliminary tests with the system have shown its ability to perform rotational transform scans while establishing a waveform for torus current independently, despite variable plasma conditions. This opens up new experimental possibilities to study the influence of rotational transform and shear independently.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2013

Spatiotemporal and Wavenumber Resolved Bicoherence at the Low to High Confinement Transition in the TJ-II Stellarator

Plasma turbulence is studied using Doppler reflectometry at the TJ-II stellarator. By scanning the tilt angle of the probing beam, different values of the perpendicular wave numbers are probed at the reflection layer. In this way, the interaction between zonal flows and turbulence is reported with (a) spatial, (b) temporal, and (c) wavenumber resolution for the first time in any magnetic confinement fusion device. We report measurements of the bicoherence across the Low to High (L--H) confinement transition at TJ-II. We examine both fast transitions and slow transitions characterized by an intermediate (I) phase. The bicoherence, understood to reflect the non-linear coupling between the perpendicular velocity (zonal flow) and turbulence amplitude, is significantly enhanced in a time window of several tens of ms around the time of the L--H transition. It is found to peak at a specific radial position (slightly inward from the radial electric field shear layer in H mode), and is associated with a specific perpendicular wave number ($k_\perp \simeq 6-12$ cm$^{-1}$, $k_\perp ρ_s \simeq 0.8-2$). In all cases, the bicoherence is due to the interaction between high frequencies ($\simeq 1$ MHz) and a rather low frequency ($\lesssim 50$ kHz), as expected for a zonal flow.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2013

Parallel and perpendicular turbulence correlation length in the TJ-II Stellarator

Long range correlations were measured using two remote reciprocating Langmuir probe systems at TJ-II. The influence of the rotational transform on the correlation was studied by scanning the magnetic configuration. A simple drift wave correlation model, assuming an exponential decay of the correlation with different correlation lengths in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the field lines, was found to describe the observations well at low densities. The experiment was repeated at gradually higher densities, and an additional correlation was detected at a critical value of the density. In accordance with previous work, this additional correlation was ascribed to zonal flows associated with a confinement transition. Thus, the total long range correlation is found to be a sum of the drift wave and zonal flow contributions.

physics.plasm-ph↗