Equilibrium reconstruction constrained by the consistency of current simulation on EAST

Abstract

The attainment of a reliable equilibrium is a critical aspect of tokamak experiments and physics analysis. A common method for establishing a reliable equilibrium current involves reconstructing it from indirect measurements, such as those obtained from polarimeter-interferometers (POINT) and motional Stark effect (MSE) systems. However, uncertainties still exist in the reconstruction results. For the equilibrium reconstruction on the EAST tokamak, which is based on the POINT system, the primary sources of uncertainty are the limited scope of measurements and the sensitivity of the reconstruction process. This paper proposes an enhanced approach that utilizes current simulation as a constraint to maintain consistency between the initial equilibrium and the simulated results. The radio frequency waves driven current is identified as a particularly influential component due to its interaction with the q profiles of the equilibrium and the deposition region of the waves. Two specific discharges are presented to illustrate how a new equilibrium can be achieved, which enhances consistency between the equilibrium and the simulated current, taking into account the dependencies of various components.