Functional perturbation theory under axisymmetry: Simplified formulae and their uses for tokamaks

Abstract

In strictly axisymmetric configurations of tokamaks, field-line tracing reduces from a three-dimensional ODE system to a two-dimensional one, where Poincaré-Bendixson theorem applies and guarantees the nonexistence of chaos. The formulae of functional perturbation theory (FPT) mostly simplify to compact closed-form expressions to allow the computation to finish instantly, which could improve and accelerate the existing plasma control systems by detangling the plasma dynamics from the magnetic topology change. FPT can conveniently calculate how the key geometric objects of magnetic topology: 1. the divertor X-point(s) and the magnetic axis, 2. the last closed flux surface (LCFS) 3. flux surfaces change under perturbation. For example, when the divertor X-point shifts outwards, the LCFS there must expand accordingly, but not necessarily for other places of the LCFS, which could also contract, depending on the perturbation. FPT can not only facilitate adaptive control of plasma, but also enable utilizing as much as possible space in the vacuum vessel by weakening the plasma-wall interaction (PWI) via tuning the eigenvalues of $\mathcal{DP}^m$ of the divertor X-point(s), such that the field line connection lengths in the scrape-off layer (SOL) are long enough to achieve detachment. Increasing flux expansion $f_x$ is another option for detachment and can also be facilitated by FPT. Apart from the edge, FPT can also benefit the understanding of the plasma core. Since the magnetic axis O-point would also shift under perturbation and the shift is known by FPT, the O-point can be controlled without full knowledge of the plasma response, which shall not significantly change the tendency.