arXiv subjects

K. Aleynikova

Publications and source records attributed to K. Aleynikova.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Enhanced performance in quasi-isodynamic max-$J$ stellarators with a turbulent particle pinch

Recent stellarator reactor designs demonstrate mostly outward turbulent particle transport, which, without advanced fueling technology, inhibits the formation of density gradients needed for confinement. We introduce ``SQuID-$τ$'', a self-fueling quasi-isodynamic stellarator capable of sustaining density peaking through inward particle transport caused by turbulence. Temperature and density profile predictions based on high-fidelity gyrokinetic simulations demonstrate enhanced performance, significantly relaxing constraints on the size and magnetic field strength for reactor designs.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

Nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic modeling of ideal ballooning modes in high-$β$ Wendelstein 7-X plasmas

We present nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of high-$β$ Wendelstein 7-X plasmas using the stellarator extension of the M3D-$C^1$ code, building on the recent work that shows benign saturation of ideal ballooning modes above the designed $β$ limit in the standard configuration [Y. Zhou et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 135102 (2024)]. First, we examine the results' sensitivity to the parallel thermal conductivity. It is found that while an increased parallel conductivity reduces the linear growth rate, the saturated pressure profile is barely affected. Second, we consider the dependence on the profile shape. It is shown that an equilibrium with a peaked pressure profile and lower $β$ is subject to more significant change than a broad profile with higher $β$ and a larger growth rate, suggesting that benign saturation, or nonlinear stability, is not guaranteed and not dictated by linear growth. Third, we study the influence of the magnetic configuration, with the equilibrium rotational transform varied by adjusting the planar coil current. With similar growth rates, similar magnitudes of profile change are found regardless of the presence of a low-order resonance, which implies that the saturation mechanism is not specific to a resonant or non-resonant mode. These results indicate that MHD stability should still be treated seriously in stellarator operation and design, for which nonlinear modeling using tools like M3D-$C^1$ can play an instrumental role.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Resonant theory of kinetic ballooning modes in general toroidal geometry

The linear theory of the kinetic-ballooning-mode (KBM) instability is extended to capture a weakly-driven regime in general toroidal geometry where the destabilization is caused by the magnetic-drift resonance of the ions. Such resonantly-destabilized KBMs are characterized by broad eigenfunctions along the magnetic field line and near-marginal positive growth rates, even well below the beta threshold of their non-resonant counterparts. This unconventional (or sub-threshold) KBM, when destabilized, has been shown to catalyze an enhancement of turbulent transport in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator [1, 2]. Simplifying the energy dependence of key resonant quantities allows for an analytical treatment of this KBM using the physics-based ordering from the more general equations of Tang, Connor, and Hastie [3]. Results are then compared with high-fidelity gyrokinetic simulations for the (st)KBM in W7-X and the conventional KBM in a circular tokamak at both high and low magnetic shear, where good agreement is obtained in all cases. This reduced KBM model provides deeper insight into (sub-threshold) KBMs and their relationship with geometry, and shows promise for aiding in transport model development and geometry-based turbulence optimization efforts going forward.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Benign saturation of ideal ballooning instability in a high-performance stellarator

To examine the robustness of the designed 5% $β$-limit for high-performance operation in the W7-X stellarator, we undertake nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of pressure-driven instabilities using the M3D-$C^1$ code. Consistent with linear analyses, ideal ballooning instabilities occur as $β$ exceeds 5% in the standard configuration. Nonetheless, the modes saturate nonlinearly at relatively low levels without triggering large-scale crashes, even though confinement degradation worsens as $β$ increases. In contrast, in an alternative configuration with nearly zero magnetic shear, ideal interchange modes induce a pressure crash at $β= 1\%$. These results suggest that the standard W7-X configuration might have a soft $β$-limit that is fairly immune to major MHD events, which enhances the appeal of the stellarator approach to steady-state fusion reactors.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Enhanced transport at high plasma pressure and sub-threshold kinetic ballooning modes in Wendelstein 7-X

High-performance fusion plasmas, requiring high pressure $β$, are not well-understood in stellarator-type experiments. Here, the effect of $β$ on ion-temperature-gradient-driven (ITG) turbulence is studied in Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), showing that subdominant kinetic ballooning modes (KBMs) are unstable well below the ideal MHD threshold and get strongly excited in the turbulence. By zonal-flow erosion, these sub-threshold KBMs (stKBMs) affect ITG saturation and enable higher heat fluxes. Controlling stKBMs will be essential to allow W7-X and future stellarators to achieve maximum performance.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic modeling of current-drive-induced sawtooth-like crashes in the W7-X stellarator

Sawtooth-like core electron temperature crashes have been observed in W7-X experiments with electron cyclotron current drive. We present nonlinear single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic simulations of this phenomenon using the newly developed stellarator modeling capability of the M3D-$C^1$ code. The near-axis current drive gives rise to two $ι=1$ resonances in the equilibrium rotational transform profile so that two consecutive $(1,1)$ internal kink modes are seen in the simulations. A small-amplitude crash at the inner resonance occurs first, which may correspond to the sawtooth precursors observed in the experiments. A bigger crash at the outer resonance then flattens the core temperature profile, which shows semi-quantitative agreements with experimental measurements on certain metrics such as the crash amplitude and the inversion radius of the temperature change. These results illustrate a likely mechanism of the current-drive-induced sawtooth-like crashes in W7-X and, to some extent, validate the stellarator modeling capability of M3D-$C^1$.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2014

Non-linear Simulations of MHD Instabilities in Tokamaks Including Eddy Current Effects and Perspectives for the Extension to Halo Currents

The dynamics of large scale plasma instabilities can strongly be influenced by the mutual interaction with currents flowing in conducting vessel structures. Especially eddy currents caused by time-varying magnetic perturbations and halo currents flowing directly from the plasma into the walls are important. The relevance of a resistive wall model is directly evident for Resistive Wall Modes (RWMs) or Vertical Displacement Events (VDEs). However, also the linear and non-linear properties of most other large-scale instabilities may be influenced significantly by the interaction with currents in conducting structures near the plasma. The understanding of halo currents arising during disruptions and VDEs, which are a serious concern for ITER as they may lead to strong asymmetric forces on vessel structures, could also benefit strongly from these non-linear modeling capabilities. Modeling the plasma dynamics and its interaction with wall currents requires solving the magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) equations in realistic toroidal X-point geometry consistently coupled with a model for the vacuum region and the resistive conducting structures. With this in mind, the non-linear finite element MHD code JOREK has been coupled with the resistive wall code STARWALL, which allows to include the effects of eddy currents in 3D conducting structures in non-linear MHD simulations. This article summarizes the capabilities of the coupled JOREK-STARWALL system and presents benchmark results as well as first applications to non-linear simulations of RWMs, VDEs, disruptions triggered by massive gas injection, and Quiescent H-Mode. As an outlook, the perspectives for extending the model to halo currents are described.

physics.plasm-ph↗