Nonlinear feedback algorithm for tearing-mode magnetic control in tokamak

Abstract

Results of calculations and analysis of the tearing-mode evolution under the effect of resonant magnetic perturbation produced by a nonlinear feedback system in rotating tokamak plasma are presented. The TEAR-code used for calculations is based on the visco-resistive magnetohydrodynamic approximation that gives coupled diffusion-type equations for the magnetic flux perturbation and for the plasma rotation velocities in toroidal and poloidal directions. The code is supplemented by a computational unit simulating the nonlinear algorithm of the feedback system. The feedback gain and phase shift are automatically regulated in real time. The gain depends on the tearing-mode amplitude. At high feedback input signals, the gain does not exceed some finite value to reduce technical requirements for the feedback actuator and to mitigate the phase instability. In the process of the tearing-mode suppression, the gain gradually increases to provide the mode control under reduction of feedback input signal and rise of the intrinsic tearing-mode stability index. Besides that, the real-time control of the feedback phase shift is provided to additionally mitigate the phase instability. According to simulation, the used nonlinear characteristics of the feedback algorithm improve the efficiency of the tearing-mode suppression.