arXiv subjects

Jonathan S. Arnaud

Publications and source records attributed to Jonathan S. Arnaud.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Physics-Informed Neural Network for Solving the Quasi-static Magnetohydrodynamic Equations

A physics-informed neural network (PINN) is developed, for the first time, to learn the time-dependent quasi-static magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in axisymmetric tokamak geometry, without any experimental or synthetic data. The initial study considered an ITER-like tokamak and found that a PINN, after careful treatment, was capable of learning the solution to the MHD system and predict a vertically displacing plasma, where general agreement with ground truth simulation was observed. The proof-of-principle demonstration highlights the potential of physics-constrained deep learning to learn complex plasma behavior.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

An Adjoint Formulation of Energetic Particle Confinement

An adjoint formulation of energetic particle confinement in axisymmetric tokamak geometry is derived and evaluated using a physics-informed neural network (PINN). The PINN estimates the mean escape time of energetic ions by solving an inhomogeneous adjoint of the drift kinetic equation with a Lorentz collision operator, yielding predictions of fast ion loss in tokamak geometry due to direct ion orbit loss and collisional transport. To our knowledge, this is the first time a PINN has been used to solve the drift kinetic equation in tokamak geometry, a challenging problem due to the large time scale separation between the rapid transit time of energetic ions and their slow collisional time scale. It is shown that a careful and intentional design of a PINN is able to learn the mean escape time across the majority of the plasma volume, suggesting a path toward constructing a rapid surrogate for use within a broader optimization framework.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

A Runaway Electron Avalanche Surrogate for Partially Ionized Plasmas

A physics-constrained deep learning surrogate that predicts the exponential ``avalanche'' growth rate of runaway electrons (REs) for a plasma containing partially ionized impurities is developed. Specifically, a physics-informed neural network (PINN) that learns the adjoint of the relativistic Fokker-Planck equation in steady-state is derived, enabling a rapid surrogate of the RE avalanche for a broad range of plasma parameters, motivating a path towards an ML-accelerated integrated description of a tokamak disruption. A steady-state power balance equation together with atomic physics data is embedded directly into the PINN, thus limiting the PINN to train across physically consistent temperatures and charge state distributions. This restricted training domain enables accurate predictions of the PINN while drastically reducing the computational cost of training the model. In addition, a novel closure for the relativistic electron population used when evaluating the secondary source of REs is developed that enables improved accuracy compared to a Rosenbluth-Putvinski source. The avalanche surrogate is verified against Monte Carlo simulations, where it is shown to accurately predict the RE avalanche growth rate across a broad range of plasma parameters encompassing distinct tokamak disruption scenarios.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

A physics-constrained deep learning surrogate model of the runaway electron avalanche growth rate

A surrogate model of the runaway electron avalanche growth rate in a magnetic fusion plasma is developed. This is accomplished by employing a physics-informed neural network (PINN) to learn the parametric solution of the adjoint to the relativistic Fokker-Planck equation. The resulting PINN is able to evaluate the runaway probability function across a broad range of parameters in the absence of any synthetic or experimental data. This surrogate of the adjoint relativistic Fokker-Planck equation is then used to infer the avalanche growth rate as a function of the electric field, synchrotron radiation and effective charge. Predictions of the avalanche PINN are compared against first principle calculations of the avalanche growth rate with excellent agreement observed across a broad range of parameters.

physics.plasm-ph↗