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Nonlinear MHD simulations with NIMROD.
Advanced gyrokinetic simulations using GYRO.
Resistive Wall Mode calculations using GATO.

Theory and Computational Sciences

The mission of the Theory group at General Atomics is:

  1. to perform fundamental theoretical research in the theory of fusion plasmas
  2. to provide theoretical support to the DIII-D National Fusion Facility
  3. to facilitate scientific discovery in fusion research through the application of advanced computer science techniques.

Fusion is potentially an inexhaustible energy source whose exploitation requires basic understanding of high-temperature plasmas. The development of a science-based predictive capability for fusion-relevant plasmas is a challenge central to fusion energy science, in which numerical modeling has played a vital role for more than four decades.

The program in Theory and Simulation of Fusion Plasmas at General Atomics supports the DOE's goals of advancing fundamental understanding of plasmas, resolving outstanding scientific issues and establishing reduced-cost paths to more attractive fusion energy systems, and advancing understanding and innovation in high-performance plasmas including burning plasmas.

The program in advanced computer science techniques supports the same goal through the application of a wide variety of technologies including Grid Computing, Parallel Computing, Advanced Collaborative Environments, Large-Scale Data Management, Scientific Visualization, and Tiled Display Walls.

Announcements

Weekly Highlights

  • October 03, 2008

A more in depth investigation of the equilibrium and stability analysis of the bean and oval sawtooth experiments revealed some additional surprises. The growth rate does not fully follow the sawtooth cycle and is quite different in the two cases but new analysis shows that the local shear at q=1 tracks the ideal growth rates in both cases. None of the other key variables q0, qmin, r(q0) and r(qmin), is strongly correlated. Also, there is a small event about a third of the way into the sawtooth ramp in both cases, which causes a small drop in Te. The analysis revealed that for the bean case, the ideal unstable mode is a quasi-interchange until this event, after which the plasma becomes ideally stable for a sizeable fraction of the sawtooth period until, as reported earlier (see http://fusion.gat.com/theory/Weekly0407 and http://fusion.gat.com/theory/Weekly0908), the internal kink becomes unstable somewhat before the final sawtooth crash. For the oval, the growth rate drops after the event but the plasma is not fully stabilized and the mode remains a quasi-interchange throughout. The implications for interpreting the experimental observations are being worked through.

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