Towards assessment of plasma edge transport in Neon seeded plasmas in disconnected double null configuration in EAST with SOLPS-ITER

Energy dissipation in the plasma edge is key for future tokamaks. The potential of neon as radiating seeding species in disconnected double null (DDN) configuration is assessed in EAST discharges in high confinement mode (H-mode). As the separation between the two separatrices in the studied DDN discharges is minimum 1.5 cm, the configuration is effectively a single null configuration, and the benefits of the double null topology are minimal. Neon seeding, on the other hand, has a favourable effect: both the target heat flux and the divertor temperature decrease more than five-fold with increased seeding rate in high-recycling conditions. Interpretive edge plasma simulations with SOLPS-ITER in support of ongoing transport analysis are presented. For the unseeded case the numerical results agree with the experimental data within a factor two for the target temperature conditions and measured neutral pressures in the active divertor. The key for achieving good agreement is a suitable selection of coefficients for anomalous transport and neutral conductances between the upper cryopump and the main chamber.

Automated summary

Energy dissipation in the plasma edge is crucial for future tokamaks, and neon seeding has a favorable effect by significantly reducing the target heat flux and divertor temperature during discharges. Interpretive edge plasma simulations with suitable coefficients for anomalous transport have shown good agreement with experimental data, supporting ongoing transport analysis.