Modeling ExB drift transport in conceptual slot divertor configurations

Abstract

AbstractAt DIII‐D, a slot divertor concept, called small‐angle‐slot (SAS), is under development, aiming to enable detachment at relatively low plasma edge density. We report on simulations using the SOLPS‐ITER two‐dimensional edge code to examine the performance of conceptual “SAS 2” slot configurations. The focus of the analysis is on E × B drift effects on upstream density at detachment (UDD), with detachment marked by electron temperature Te ≤ 3 eV at the outer strike point (OSP). With toroidal field such that radial E × B drift carries particles from the OSP towards the private flux region (PFR), placing the OSP near the inner slot wall gives ≈20% lower UDD than having the OSP near the outer wall. The inner wall effectively traps the radial E × B drift flux, resulting in low Te and associated radial electric field in the PFR, and thus small losses from the slot to the inner target via poloidal E × B drift flux. With toroidal field reversed such that radial E × B drift is reversed, OSP placement near the inner wall gives ≈10% lower UDD than OSP placement near the outer wall. Although radial E × B flux is from the OSP towards the outer wall, this flux largely escapes the slot, raising the UDD. A change in the slot shaping is suggested with the goal of eliminating such E × B‐driven particle losses from the slot.