We present an ultrafast neural network (NN) model, QLKNN, which predicts core tokamak transport heat and particle fluxes. QLKNN is a surrogate model based on a database of 300 million flux calculations of the quasilinear gyrokinetic transport model QuaLiKiz. The database covers a wide range of realistic tokamak core parameters. Physical features such as the existence of a critical gradient for the onset of turbulent transport were integrated into the neural network training methodology. We have coupled QLKNN to the tokamak modelling framework JINTRAC and rapid control-oriented tokamak transport solver RAPTOR. The coupled frameworks are demonstrated and validated through application to three JET shots covering a representative spread of H-mode operating space, predicting turbulent transport of energy and particles in the plasma core. JINTRAC-QLKNN and RAPTOR-QLKNN are able to accurately reproduce JINTRAC-QuaLiKiz T i,e and n e profiles, but 3 to 5 orders of magnitude faster. Simulations which take hours are reduced down to only a few tens of seconds. The discrepancy in the final source-driven predicted profiles between QLKNN and QuaLiKiz is on the order 1%-15%. Also the dynamic behaviour was well captured by QLKNN, with differences of only 4%-10% compared to JINTRAC-QuaLiKiz observed at mid-radius, for a study of density buildup following the L-H transition. Deployment of neural network surrogate models in multi-physics integrated tokamak modelling is a promising route towards enabling accurate and fast tokamak scenario optimization, Uncertainty Quantification, and control applications.

Zeolites with appropriately narrow pore apertures can kinetically enhance the selective adsorption of CO 2 over N 2 . Here, we showed that the exchangeable cations (e.g., Na + or K + ) on zeolite ZK-4 play an important role in the CO 2 selectivity. Zeolites NaK ZK-4 with Si/Al = 1.8–2.8 had very high CO 2 selectivity when an intermediate number of the exchangeable cations were K + (the rest being Na + ). Zeolites NaK ZK-4 with Si/Al = 1.8 had high CO 2 uptake capacity and very high CO 2 -over-N 2 selectivity (1190). Zeolite NaK ZK-4 with Si/Al = 2.3 and 2.8 also had enhanced CO 2 selectivity with an intermediate number of K + cations. The high CO 2 selectivity was related to the K + cation in the 8-rings of the α-cage, together with Na + cations in the 6-ring, obstructing the diffusion of N 2 throughout the zeolite. The positions of the K + cation in the 8-ring moved slightly (max 0.2 Å) toward the center of the α-cage upon the adsorption of CO 2 , as revealed by in situ X-ray diffraction. The CO 2 -over-N 2 selectivity was somewhat reduced when the number of K + cations approached 100%. This was possibly due to the shift in the K + cation positions in the 8-ring when the number of Na + was going toward 0%, allowing N 2 diffusion through the 8-ring. According to in situ infrared spectroscopy, the amount of chemisorbed CO 2 was reduced on zeolite ZK-4s with increasing Si/Al ratio. In the context of potential applications, a kinetically enhanced selection of CO 2 could be relevant for applications in carbon capture and bio- and natural gas upgrading.

The JET 2019-2020 scientific and technological programme exploited the results of years of concerted scientific and engineering work, including the ITER-like wall (ILW: Be wall and W divertor) installed in 2010, improved diagnostic capabilities now fully available, a major Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) upgrade providing record power in 2019-2020, and tested the technical & procedural preparation for safe operation with tritium. Research along three complementary axes yielded a wealth of new results. Firstly, the JET plasma programme delivered scenarios suitable for high fusion power and alpha particle physics in the coming D-T campaign (DTE2), with record sustained neutron rates, as well as plasmas for clarifying the impact of isotope mass on plasma core, edge and plasma-wall interactions, and for ITER pre-fusion power operation. The efficacy of the newly installed Shattered Pellet Injector for mitigating disruption forces and runaway electrons was demonstrated. Secondly, research on the consequences of long-term exposure to JET-ILW plasma was completed, with emphasis on wall damage and fuel retention, and with analyses of wall materials and dust particles that will help validate assumptions and codes for design & operation of ITER and DEMO. Thirdly, the nuclear technology programme aiming to deliver maximum technological return from operations in D, T and D-T benefited from the highest D-D neutron yield in years, securing results for validating radiation transport and activation codes, and nuclear data for ITER.

Alpha particles with energies on the order of megaelectronvolts will be the main source of plasma heating in future magnetic confinement fusion reactors. Instead of heating fuel ions, most of the energy of alpha particles is transferred to electrons in the plasma. Furthermore, alpha particles can also excite Alfvénic instabilities, which were previously considered to be detrimental to the performance of the fusion device. Here we report improved thermal ion confinement in the presence of megaelectronvolts ions and strong fast ion-driven Alfvénic instabilities in recent experiments on the Joint European Torus. Detailed transport analysis of these experiments reveals turbulence suppression through a complex multi-scale mechanism that generates large-scale zonal flows. This holds promise for more economical operation of fusion reactors with dominant alpha particle heating and ultimately cheaper fusion electricity.

This paper presents results of extensive analysis of mode excitation observed during the operation of the Alfvén Eigenmode Active Diagnostic (AEAD) in the JET tokamak during the 2019-2020 deuterium campaign. Six of eight toroidally spaced antennas, each with independent power and phasing, were successful in actively exciting stable MHD modes in 479 plasmas. In total, magnetic resonances were detected with up to fourteen fast magnetic probes. In this work, we present the calculations of resonant frequencies f 0, damping rates γ < 0, and toroidal mode numbers n, spanning the parameter ranges f 0≈ 30–250 kHz, −γ ≈ 0–13 kHz, and | n | ≤ 30 . In general, good agreement is seen between the resonant and the calculated toroidal Alfvén Eigenmode frequencies, and between the toroidal mode numbers applied by the AEAD and estimated of the excited resonances. We note several trends in the database: the probability of resonance detection decreases with plasma current and external heating power; the normalized damping rate increases with edge safety factor but decreases with external heating. These results provide key information to prepare future experimental campaigns and to better understand the physics of excitation and damping of Alfvén Eigenmodes in the presence of alpha particles during the upcoming DT campaign, thereby extrapolating with confidence to future tokamaks.

This paper presents a dedicated study of plasma-antenna (PA) coupling with the Alfvén Eigenmode Active Diagnostic (AEAD) in JET. Stable AEs and their resonant frequencies f , damping rates γ < 0, and toroidal mode numbers n are measured for various PA separations and limiter versus X-point magnetic configurations. Two stable AEs are observed to be resonantly excited at distinct low and high frequencies in limiter plasmas. The values of f and n do not vary with PA separation. However, |γ| increases with PA separation for the lowf , but not high-f , mode, yet this may be due to slightly different edge conditions. The high-f AE is detected throughout the transition from limiter to X-point configuration, though its damping rate increases; the low-f mode, on the other hand, becomes unidentifiable. The linear resistive MHD code CASTOR is used to simulate the frequency scan of an AEAD-like external antenna. For the limiter pulses, the high-f mode is determined to be an n = 0 GAE, while the low-f mode is likely an n = 2 TAE. During the transition from limiter to X-point configuration, CASTOR indicates that n = 1 and 2 EAEs are excited in the edge gap. These results extend previous experimental studies in JET and Alcator C-Mod; validate the computational work performed by Dvornova et al 2020 Phys. Plasmas 27 012507; and provide guidance for the optimization of PA coupling in upcoming JET energetic particle experiments, for which the AEAD will aim to identify the contribution of alpha particles to AE drive during the DT campaign.

International audienceRadio-frequency (RF) systems used in vacuum can be damaged by electronic avalanches triggered by the multipactor effect. This undesirable phenomenon can appear for RF components used in space communication payloads as well as in experimental fusion devices, among others. To determine the multipactor breakdown threshold, expensive multipactor experimental tests can be made or multipactor simulations can be performed. This second method uses the Total Electron Emission Yield (TEEY) curve as input and the breakdown threshold predicted by simulation highly depends on this curve. Consequently we decided to make a sensitivity study of multipactor breakdown threshold in relation to the TEEY curve variations. We study the silver conductor material with a RF waveguide transformer. Two critical energy regions are found for a small gap waveguide structure: energies around first cross-over energy and energies between the first cross-over and the yield maximum. Electron emission data have to be accurate on these regions to get a coherent multipactor threshold. Six TEEY models are benchmarked with respect to their capability to accurately model these regions

In this work, we use reduced and perturbative models to examine the stability of toroidal Alfven eigenmodes (TAEs) during the internal transport barrier (ITB) afterglow in JET experiments designed for the observation of alpha driven TAEs. We demonstrate that in JET-like conditions, it is sufficient to use an incompressible cold plasma model for the TAE to reproduce the experimental adiabatic features such as frequency and position. The core-localised modes that are predicted to be most strongly driven by minority ICRH fast ions correspond to the modes observed in the DD experiment, and conversely, modes that are predicted to be not driven are not observed. Linear damping rates due to a variety of mechanisms acting during the afterglow are calculated, with important contributions coming from the neutral beam and radiative damping. For DT equivalent extrapolations, we find that for the majority of modes, alpha drive is not sufficient to overcome radiative damping.