The influence of full drifts on density shoulder formation at the midplane by numerical modeling

The density shoulder at the midplane may influence core plasma confinement during H-mode discharge, thus affecting long-pulse steady-state discharge. Drifts in the edge plasma play a remarkable role in plasma transport and the divertor operation regime, which determine density shoulder formation (DSF). In this work, the SOLPS-ITER code package is used to evaluate the influence of full drifts on DSF in poloidal and radial coordinates. An open divertor of DIII-D-like geometry with weak neutral compression is chosen for the modeling. Cases without drifts, with only E x B drifts in forward B (t) and with full drifts in both forward and reversed B (t) are simulated for comparison. It is confirmed that the high upstream density promotes DSF when the drift is not considered, which has also been observed in various investigations. When the drifts are taken into account, the divertor in/out asymmetry (or upstream ionization source) is determined by the direction of B (t) due to the variation of particle transport, thus the shoulder can be facilitated or suppressed. Two mechanisms of DSF with full drifts are elucidated: (1) E x B and B x backward difference B drifts promote DSF at the inner midplane (IMP) by raising the ionization source (at IMP) in forward B (t); (2) the drifts contribute to DSF at the outer midplane by enhancing the particle transport loss in reversed B (t). In a high-recycling regime, ionization is the dominant term for DSF, while in the low-recycling regime enhanced particle transport loss plays a more important role. Comprehensively understanding the mechanisms of DSF is of great importance for the improvement of core-edge compatibility in fusion reactors.

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence of drifts on the formation of density shoulder (DSF) in plasma, with full drifts being confirmed to enhance DSF. Specifically, E×B and B×backward difference B drifts are found to promote DSF at the inner midplane (IMP), while drifts enhance particle transport loss and contribute to DSF at the outer midplane. It is also observed that high upstream density promotes DSF when drifts are not considered. The comprehensive understanding of DSF mechanisms is of great importance for improving the core-edge compatibility in fusion reactors.