arXiv subjects

T. Fülöp

Publications and source records attributed to T. Fülöp.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Implicit numerical schemes for generalized heat conduction equations

There are various situations where the classical Fourier's law for heat conduction is not applicable, such as heat conduction in heterogeneous materials or for modeling low-temperature phenomena. In such cases, heat flux is not directly proportional to temperature gradient, hence, the role -- and both the analytical and numerical treatment -- of boundary conditions becomes nontrivial. Here, we address this question for finite difference numerics via a shifted field approach. Based on this ground,implicit schemes are presented and compared to each other for the Guyer--Krumhansl generalized heat conduction equation, which successfully describes numerous beyond-Fourier experimental findings. The results are validated by an analytical solution, and are contrasted to finite element method outcomes obtained by COMSOL.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Interpretation of runaway electron synchrotron and bremsstrahlung images

The crescent spot shape observed in DIII-D runaway electron synchrotron radiation images is shown to result from the high degree of anisotropy in the emitted radiation, the finite spectral range of the camera and the distribution of runaways. The finite spectral camera range is found to be particularly important, as the radiation from the high-field side can be stronger by a factor $10^6$ than the radiation from the low-field side in DIII-D. By combining a kinetic model of the runaway dynamics with a synthetic synchrotron diagnostic we see that physical processes not described by the kinetic model (such as radial transport) are likely to be limiting the energy of the runaways. We show that a population of runaways with lower dominant energies and larger pitch-angles than those predicted by the kinetic model provide a better match to the synchrotron measurements. Using a new synthetic bremsstrahlung diagnostic we also simulate the view of the Gamma Ray Imager (GRI) diagnostic used at DIII-D to resolve the spatial distribution of runaway-generated bremsstrahlung.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2017

Kinetic and finite ion mass effects on the transition to relativistic self-induced transparency in laser-driven ion acceleration

We study kinetic effects responsible for the transition to relativistic self-induced transparency in the interaction of a circularly-polarized laser-pulse with an overdense plasma and their relation to hole-boring and ion acceleration. It is demonstrated using particle-in-cell simulations and an analysis of separatrices in single-electron phase-space, that ion motion can suppress fast electron escape to the vacuum, which would otherwise lead to transition to the relativistic transparency regime. A simple analytical estimate shows that for large laser pulse amplitude $a_0$ the time scale over which ion motion becomes important is much shorter than usually anticipated. As a result, the threshold density above which hole-boring occurs decreases with the charge-to-mass ratio. Moreover, the transition threshold is seen to depend on the laser temporal profile, due to the effect that the latter has on electron heating. Finally, we report a new regime in which a transition from relativistic transparency to hole-boring occurs dynamically during the course of the interaction. It is shown that, for a fixed laser intensity, this dynamic transition regime allows optimal ion acceleration in terms of both energy and energy spread.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2017

Guyer-Krumhansl-type heat conduction at room temperature

Results of heat pulse experiments in various artificial and natural materials are reported in the paper. The experiments are performed at room temperature with macroscopic samples. It is shown that temperature evolution does not follow the Fourier's law but well explained by the Guyer-Krumhansl equation. The observations confirm the ability of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to formulate universal constitutive relations for thermomechanical processes.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2016

Edge Momentum Transport by Neutrals: an Interpretive Numerical Framework

Due to their high cross-field mobility, neutrals can contribute to momentum transport even at the low relative densities found inside the separatrix and they can generate intrinsic rotation. We use a charge-exchange dominated solution to the neutral kinetic equation, coupled to neoclassical ions, to evaluate the momentum transport due to neutrals. Numerical solutions to the drift-kinetic equation allow us to cover the full range of collisionality, including the intermediate levels typical of the tokamak edge. In the edge there are several processes likely to contribute to momentum transport in addition to neutrals. Therefore, we present here an interpretive framework that can evaluate the momentum transport through neutrals based on radial plasma profiles. We demonstrate its application by analysing the neutral angular momentum flux for an L-mode discharge in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The magnitudes of the angular momentum fluxes we find here due to neutrals of up to $1{-}2\;\mathrm{N\, m}$ are comparable to the net torque on the plasma from neutral beam injection, indicating the importance of neutrals for rotation in the edge.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2016

NORSE: A solver for the relativistic non-linear Fokker-Planck equation for electrons in a homogeneous plasma

Energetic electrons are of interest in many types of plasmas, however previous modeling of their properties has been restricted to the use of linear Fokker-Planck collision operators or non-relativistic formulations. Here, we describe a fully non-linear kinetic-equation solver, capable of handling large electric-field strengths (compared to the Dreicer field) and relativistic temperatures. This tool allows modeling of the momentum-space dynamics of the electrons in cases where strong departures from Maxwellian distributions may arise. As an example, we consider electron runaway in magnetic-confinement fusion plasmas and describe a transition to electron slide-away at field strengths significantly lower than previously predicted.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2016

Runaway-electron formation and electron slide-away in an ITER post-disruption scenario

Mitigation of runaway electrons is one of the outstanding issues for the reliable operation of ITER and other large tokamaks, and accurate estimates for the expected runaway-electron energies and current are needed. Previously, linearized tools (which assume the runaway population to be small) have been used to study the runaway dynamics, but these tools are not valid in the cases of most interest, i.e. when the runaway population becomes substantial. We study runaway-electron formation in a post-disruption ITER plasma using the newly developed non-linear code NORSE, and describe a feedback mechanism by which a transition to electron slide-away can be induced at field strengths significantly lower than previously expected. If the electric field is actively imposed using the control system, the entire electron population is quickly converted to runaways in the scenario considered. We find the time until the feedback mechanism sets in to be highly dependent on the details of the mechanisms removing heat from the thermal electron population.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2016

Kinetic modelling of runaway electrons in dynamic scenarios

Improved understanding of runaway-electron formation and decay processes are of prime interest for the safe operation of large tokamaks, and the dynamics of the runaway electrons during dynamical scenarios such as disruptions are of particular concern. In this paper, we present kinetic modelling of scenarios with time-dependent plasma parameters; in particular, we investigate hot-tail runaway generation during a rapid drop in plasma temperature. With the goal of studying runaway-electron generation with a self-consistent electric-field evolution, we also discuss the implementation of a collision operator that conserves momentum and energy and demonstrate its properties. An operator for avalanche runaway-electron generation, which takes the energy dependence of the scattering cross section and the runaway distribution into account, is investigated. We show that the simplified avalanche model of Rosenbluth & Putvinskii [Nucl. Fusion 1997 37 1355] can give inaccurate results for the avalanche growth rate (either lower or higher) for many parameters, especially when the average runaway energy is modest, such as during the initial phase of the avalanche multiplication. The developments presented pave the way for improved modelling of runaway-electron dynamics during disruptions or other dynamic events.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2016

Vlasov modelling of laser-driven collisionless shock acceleration of protons

Ion acceleration due to the interaction between a short high-intensity laser pulse and a moderately overdense plasma target is studied using Eulerian Vlasov-Maxwell simulations. The effects of variations in the plasma density profile and laser pulse parameters are investigated, and the interplay of collisionless shock and target normal sheath acceleration is analyzed. It is shown that the use of a layered-target with a combination of light and heavy ions, on the front and rear side respectively, yields a strong quasi-static sheath-field on the rear side of the heavy-ion part of the target. This sheath-field increases the energy of the shock-accelerated ions while preserving their mono-energeticity.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

Deviation from the Fourier law in room-temperature heat pulse experiments

We report heat pulse experiments at room temperature that cannot be described by Fourier's law. The experimental data is modelled properly by the Guyer--Krumhansl equation, in its over-diffusion regime. The phenomenon is due to conduction channels with differing conductivities, and parallel to the direction of the heat flux.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2015

Radiation reaction induced non-monotonic features in runaway electron distributions

Runaway electrons, which are generated in a plasma where the induced electric field exceeds a certain critical value, can reach very high energies in the MeV range. For such energetic electrons, radiative losses will contribute significantly to the momentum space dynamics. Under certain conditions, due to radiative momentum losses, a non-monotonic feature - a "bump" - can form in the runaway electron tail, creating a potential for bump-on-tail-type instabilities to arise. Here we study the conditions for the existence of the bump. We derive an analytical threshold condition for bump appearance and give an approximate expression for the minimum energy at which the bump can appear. Numerical calculations are performed to support the analytical derivations.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

Bump formation in the runaway electron tail

Runaway electrons are generated in a magnetized plasma when the parallel electric field exceeds a critical value. For such electrons with energies typically reaching tens of MeV, the Abraham-Lorentz-Dirac (ALD) radiation force, in reaction to the synchrotron emission, is significant and can be the dominant process limiting the electron acceleration. The effect of the ALD-force on runaway electron dynamics in a homogeneous plasma is investigated using the relativistic finite-difference Fokker-Planck codes LUKE [Decker & Peysson, Report EUR-CEA-FC-1736, Euratom-CEA, (2004)] and CODE [Landreman et al, Comp. Phys. Comm. 185, 847 (2014)]. Under the action of the ALD force, we find that a bump is formed in the tail of the electron distribution function if the electric field is sufficiently large. We also observe that the energy of runaway electrons in the bump increases with the electric field amplitude, while the population increases with the bulk electron temperature. The presence of the bump divides the electron distribution into a runaway beam and a bulk population. This mechanism may give rise to beam-plasma types of instabilities that could in turn pump energy from runaway electrons and alter their confinement.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2014

Thermodynamic hierarchies of evolution equations

Non-equilibrium thermodynamics with internal variables introduces a natural hierarchical arrangement of evolution equations. Three examples are shown: a hierarchy of linear constitutive equations in thermodynamic rhelogy with a single internal variable, a hierarchy of wave equations in the theory of generalized continua with dual internal variables and a hierarchical arrangement of the Fourier equation in the theory of heat conduction with current multipliers.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2014

Distinguished rheological models in the framework of a thermodynamical internal variable theory

We present and analyze a thermodynamical theory of rheology with single internal variable. The universality of the model is ensured as long as the mesoscopic and/or microscopic background processes satisfy the applied thermodynamical principles, which are the second law, the basic balances and the existence of an additional-tensorial-state variable. The resulting model, which we suggest to call the Kluitenberg-Verhás body, is the Poynting-Thomson-Zener body with an additional inertial element, or, in other words, is the extension of Jeffreys model to solids. We argue that this Kluitenberg-Verhás body is the natural thermodynamical building block of rheology. An important feature of the presented methodology is that nontrivial inequality-type restrictions arise for the four parameters of the model. We compare these conditions and other aspects to those of other known thermodynamical approaches, like Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics or the original theory of Kluitenberg.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2014

Quasi-linear analysis of the extraordinary electron wave destabilized by runaway electrons

Runaway electrons with strongly anisotropic distributions present in post-disruption tokamak plasmas can destabilize the extraordinary electron (EXEL) wave. The present work investigates the dynamics of the quasi-linear evolution of the EXEL instability for a range of different plasma parameters using a model runaway distribution function valid for highly relativistic runaway electron beams produced primarily by the avalanche process. Simulations show a rapid pitch-angle scattering of the runaway electrons in the high energy tail on the $100-1000\;\rm μs$ time scale. Due to the wave-particle interaction, a modification to the synchrotron radiation spectrum emitted by the runaway electron population is foreseen, exposing a possible experimental detection method for such an interaction.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2014

Switching Reciprocity On and Off in a Magneto-Optical X-Ray Scattering Experiment Using Nuclear Resonance of 57Fe Foils

Reciprocity is when the scattering amplitude of wave propagation satisfies a symmetry property, connecting a scattering process with an appropriate reversed one. We report on an experiment using nuclear resonance scattering of synchrotron radiation, which demonstrates that magneto-optical materials do not necessarily violate reciprocity. The setting enables to switch easily between reciprocity and its violation. In the latter case, the exhibited reciprocity violation is orders of magnitude larger than achieved by previous wave scattering experiments.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2013

Synchrotron radiation from a runaway electron distribution in tokamaks

The synchrotron radiation emitted by runaway electrons in a fusion plasma provides information regarding the particle momenta and pitch-angles of the runaway electron population through the strong dependence of the synchrotron spectrum on these parameters. Information about the runaway density and its spatial distribution, as well as the time evolution of the above quantities, can also be deduced. In this paper we present the synchrotron radiation spectra for typical avalanching runaway electron distributions. Spectra obtained for a distribution of electrons are compared to the emission of mono-energetic electrons with a prescribed pitch-angle. We also examine the effects of magnetic field curvature and analyse the sensitivity of the resulting spectrum to perturbations to the runaway distribution. The implications for the deduced runaway electron parameters are discussed. We compare our calculations to experimental data from DIII-D and estimate the maximum observed runaway energy.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2013

The effect of ITER-like wall on runaway electron generation in JET

This paper investigates the effect of the ITER-like wall (ILW) on runaway electron (RE) generation through a comparative study of similar slow argon injection JET disruptions, performed with different wall materials. In the carbon wall case, a runaway electron plateau is observed, while in the ITER-like wall case, the current quench is slower and the runaway current is negligibly small. The aim of the paper is to shed light on the reason for these differences by detailed numerical modelling to study which factors affected the RE formation. The post-disruption current profile is calculated by a one-dimensional model of electric field, temperature and runaway current taking into account the impurity injection. Scans of various impurity contents are performed and agreement with the experimental scenarios is obtained for reasonable argon- and wall impurity contents. Our modelling shows that the reason for the changed RE dynamics is a complex, combined effect of the differences in plasma parameter profiles, the radiation characteristics of beryllium and carbon, and the difference of the injected argon amount. These together lead to a significantly higher Dreicer generation rate in the carbon wall case, which is less prone to be suppressed by RE loss mechanisms. The results indicate that the differences are greatly reduced above ~50% argon content, suggesting that significant RE current is expected in future massive gas injection experiments on both JET and ITER.

physics.plasm-ph↗