The ITER 3D magnetic diagnostic response to applied n = 3 and n = 4 resonant magnetic perturbations*

Abstract

The ITER magnetic diagnostic response to applied n = 3 and n = 4 resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) has been calculated for the 15 MA scenario. The VMEC code was utilized to calculate free boundary 3D ideal magnetohydrodynamic equilibria, where the non-stellarator symmetric terms were included in the calculation (Hirshman and Whitson 1983 Phys. Fluids 26 3553). This allows an assessment to be made of the possible boundary displacements due to RMP application in ITER. As the VMEC code assumes a continuous set of nested flux surface, the possibility of island and stochastic region formation is ignored. At the start of the current flat-top (L-mode) application of n = 4 RMPs indicates approximately 1 cm peak-to-peak displacements on the low field side of the plasma while later in the shot (H-mode) perturbations as large as 3 cm are present. Forward modeling of the ITER magnetic diagnostics indicates significant non-axisymmetric plasma response, exceeding 10% the axisymmetric signal in many of the flux loops. Magnetic field probes seem to indicate a greater robustness to 3D effects but still indicate large sensitivities to 3D effects in a number of sensors. Forward modeling of the diagnostics response to 3D equilibria allows assessment of diagnostics design and control scenarios.