Towards a quantitative prediction of the blob detection rate

Abstract

To estimate the particle and energy flux to the plasma facing components of a future fusion power plant, the transport carried by filaments of increased pressure, called blobs, is of critical importance. To understand this transport the rate of the filaments has to be known. The novel approach presented here allows the prediction of both the blob generation and detection rates based on background plasma parameters only. The prediction is in a good overall agreement with recent experiments in ASDEX Upgrade.