We describe recent advances in cross-separatrix and other edge-relevant plasma simulations with COGENT, a continuum gyro-kinetic code being developed by the Edge Simulation Laboratory (ESL) collaboration. Work to date has been primarily focused on a 4D (axisymmetric) divertor version that models transport properties of edge plasmas including the effects of nonlinear (Fokker-Planck) collisions, anomalous radial transport and a self-consistent radial electric field. Recent work has focused on including the effects of poloidal electric fields in cross-separatrix simulations. We have also begun development of a 5D extension (single source, compilable in either 4D or 5D) to study edge turbulence, with initial focus on kinetic effects on blob dynamics and drift-wave instability. Finally, we report on recent progress with development and implementation of implicit-explicit (IMEX) time integration schemes and integrated modeling capabilities.

The development of the continuum gyrokinetic code COGENT for edge plasma simulations is reported. The present version of the code models a nonlinear axisymmetric 4D (R, v∥, μ) gyrokinetic equation coupled to the long-wavelength limit of the gyro-Poisson equation. Here, R is the particle gyrocenter coordinate in the poloidal plane, and v∥ and μ are the guiding center velocity parallel to the magnetic field and the magnetic moment, respectively. The COGENT code utilizes a fourth-order finite-volume (conservative) discretization combined with arbitrary mapped multiblock grid technology (nearly field-aligned on blocks) to handle the complexity of tokamak divertor geometry with high accuracy. Topics presented are the implementation of increasingly detailed model collision operators, and the results of neoclassical transport simulations including the effects of a strong radial electric field characteristic of a tokamak pedestal under H-mode conditions.

Neutralization and focusing of intense charged particle beam pulses by electrons forms the basis for a wide range of applications to high energy accelerators and colliders, heavy ion fusion, and astrophysics. For example, for ballistic propagation of intense ion beam pulses, background plasma can be used to effectively neutralize the beam charge and current, so that the self-electric and self-magnetic fields do not affect the ballistic propagation of the beam. From the practical perspective of designing advanced plasma sources for beam neutralization, a robust theory should be able to predict the self-electric and self-magnetic fields during beam propagation through the background plasma. The major scaling relations for the self-electric and self-magnetic fields of intense ion charge bunches propagating through background plasma have been determined taking into account the effects of transients during beam entry into the plasma, the excitation of collective plasma waves, the effects of gas ionization, finite electron temperature, and applied solenoidal and dipole magnetic fields. Accounting for plasma production by gas ionization yields a larger self-magnetic field of the ion beam compared to the case without ionization, and a wake of current density and self-magnetic field perturbations is generated behind the beam pulse. A solenoidal magnetic field can be applied for controlling the beam propagation. Making use of theoretical models and advanced numerical simulations, it is shown that even a small applied magnetic field of about 100G can strongly affect the beam neutralization. It has also been demonstrated that in the presence of an applied magnetic field the ion beam pulse can excite large-amplitude whistler waves, thereby producing a complex structure of self-electric and self-magnetic fields. The presence of an applied solenoidal magnetic field may also cause a strong enhancement of the radial self-electric field of the beam pulse propagating through the background plasma. If controlled, this physical effect can be used for optimized beam transport over long distances.

The Heavy-Ion Fusion Sciences Virtual National Laboratory is pursuing an approach to target heating experiments in the Warm Dense Matter regime, using space-

Geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) are an important phenomenon in a tokamak edge plasma. They regulate turbulence in a low confinement (L-mode) regime and can play an important role in the low to high (L–H) mode transition. It is therefore of considerable importance to develop a detailed theoretical understanding of their dynamics and relaxation processes. The present work reports on the numerical modelling of collisionless GAM relaxation, including the effects of a strong radial electric field characteristic of a tokamak pedestal in a high confinement (H-mode) regime. The simulations demonstrate that the presence of a strong radial electric field enhances the GAM decay rate, and heuristic arguments elucidating this finding are provided. The numerical modelling is performed by making use of the continuum gyrokinetic code COGENT.