Tokamak ITG-KBM transition benchmarking with the mixed variables/pullback transformation electromagnetic gyrokinetic scheme

Electromagnetic gyrokinetic simulation of high temperature plasma is required to predict confinement in magnetic fusion devices and has posed challenges for existing codes. In this paper, we demonstrate successful global gyrokinetic simulation of the ion temperature gradient-driven mode-kinetic ballooning mode transition in a toroidal fusion plasma test case using the mixed variables/pullback transformation (MV/PT) scheme with the particle-in-cell codes XGC and ORB5, and compare to results from a conventional continuum code from the literature. The MV/PT scheme combines explicit time integration with mitigation of the well-known electromagnetic gyrokinetic cancelation problem. We calculate eigenmodes in the electrostatic and parallel vector potentials, and find good agreement in growth rate, real frequency, and the normalized plasma pressure of mode transition.

Automated summary

In this paper, global gyrokinetic simulation of the ion temperature gradient-driven mode-kinetic ballooning mode transition in a toroidal fusion plasma test case was successfully demonstrated using the MV/PT scheme with the particle-in-cell codes XGC and ORB5. The MV/PT scheme combines explicit time integration with mitigation of the electromagnetic gyrokinetic cancelation problem, showing good agreement with results from a conventional continuum code.