Optimization of finite-build stellarator coils

Abstract

Finding coil sets with desirable physics and engineering properties is a crucial step in the design of modern stellarator devices. Existing stellarator coil optimization codes ultimately produce zero-thickness filament coils. However, stellarator coils have finite depth and thickness, which can make the single-filament model a poor approximation, particularly when coil build dimensions are relatively large compared to the coil–plasma distance. In this paper, we present a new method for designing coils with finite builds and present a mechanism to optimize the orientation of the winding pack. We approximate finite-build coils with a multi-filament model. A numerical implementation has been developed, and applications to the Helically Symmetric eXperiment stellarator and a new UW-Madison quasihelically symmetric configuration are shown.