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Understanding the many aspects of tokamak physics requires the development of quite sophisticated models. Moreover, in the operation of the devices, prediction of the future evolution of discharges can be of crucial importance, particularly in the case of the prediction of disruptions, which can cause serious damage to various parts of the machine. The determination of the limits of predictability is therefore an important issue for modelling, classifying and forecasting. In all these cases, once a certain level of performance has been reached, the question typically arises as to whether all the information available in the data has been exploited, or whether there are still margins for improvement of the tools being developed. In this paper, a theoretical information approach is proposed to address this issue. The excellent properties of the developed indicator, called the prediction factor (PF), have been proved with the help of a series of numerical tests. Its application to some typical behaviour relating to macroscopic instabilities in tokamaks has shown very positive results. The prediction factor has also been used to assess the performance of disruption predictors running in real time in the JET system, including the one systematically deployed in the feedback loop for mitigation purposes. The main conclusion is that the most advanced predictors basically exploit all the information contained in the locked mode signal on which they are based. Therefore, qualitative improvements in disruption prediction performance in JET would need the processing of additional signals, probably profiles., QC 20200416

Future fusion reactors require a safe, steady state divertor operation. A possible solution for the power exhaust challenge is the detached divertor operation in scenarios with high radiated power fractions. The radiation can be increased by seeding impurities, such as N for dominant scrape-off-layer radiation, Ne or Ar for SOL and pedestal radiation and Kr for dominant core radiation. Recent experiments on two of the all-metal tokamaks, ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) and JET, demonstrate operation with high radiated power fractions and a fully-detached divertor by N, Ne or Kr seeding with a conventional divertor in a vertical target geometry. For both devices similar observations can be made. In the scenarios with the highest radiated power fraction, the dominant radiation originates from the confined region, in the case of N and Ne seeding concentrated in a region close to the X-point. Applying these seed impurities for highly radiative scenarios impacts local plasma parameters and alters the impurity transport in the pedestal region. Thus, plasma confinement and stability can be affected. A proper understanding of the effects by these impurities is required in order to predict the applicability of such scenarios for future devices., QC 20200416

A strong effect of divertor configuration on the threshold power for the L-H transition (P-LH) was observed in recent JET experiments in the new ITER-like Wall (ILW) [1-3]. Following a series of EDGE2D-EIRENE code simulations with Be impurity and drifts a possible mechanism for the P-LH variation with the divertor geometry is proposed. Both experiment and code simulations show that in the configuration with lower neutral recycling near the outer strike point (OSP), electron temperature (T-e) peaks near the OSP prior to the L-H transition, while in the configuration with higher OSP recycling T-e peaks further out in the scrape-offlayer (SOL) and the plasma stays in the L-mode at the same input power. Code results show large positive radial electric field (E-r) in the near SOL under lower recycling conditions leading to a large E x B shear across the separatrix which may trigger earlier (at lower input power) edge turbulence suppression and lower P-LH. Suppressed T-e's at OSP in configurations with strike points on vertical targets (VT) were observed earlier and explained by a geometrical effect of neutral recycling near this particular position, whereas in configurations with strike points on horizontal targets (HT) the OSP appears to be more open for neutrals (see e.g. review paper [4])., QC 20200417

Future tokamak reactors of conventional design will require high levels of exhaust power dissipation (more than 90% of the input power) if power densities at the divertor targets are to remain compatible with active cooling. Impurity seeded H-mode discharges in JET-ITER-like Wall (ILW) have reached a maximum radiative fraction (F-rad) of similar to 75%. Divertor Langmuir probe (LP) measurements in these discharges indicate, however, that less than similar to 3% of the thermal plasma power reaches the targets, suggesting a missing channel for power loss. This paper presents experimental evidence from limiter LP for enhanced cross-field particle fluxes on the main chamber walls at high F-rad. In H-mode nitrogen-seeded discharges with F-rad increasing from similar to 30% to up to similar to 75%, the main chamber wall particle fluence rises by a factor similar to 3 while the divertor plasma fluence drops by one order of magnitude. Contribution of main chamber wall particle losses to detachment, as suggested by EDGE2D-EIRENE modeling, is not sufficient to explain the magnitude of the observed divertor fluence reduction. An intermediate detached case obtained at F-rad similar to 60% with neon seeding is also presented. Heat loads were measured using the main chamber wall thermocouples. Comparison between thermocouple and bolometry measurements shows that the fraction of the input power transported to the main chamber wall remains below similar to 5%, whatever the divertor detachment state is. Main chamber sputtering of beryllium by deuterium is reduced in detached conditions only on the low field side. If the fraction of power exhaust dissipated to the main chamber wall by cross-field transport in future reactors is similar to the JET-ILW levels, wall plasma power loading should not be an issue. However, other contributions such as charge exchange may be a problem., QC 20200417

Robust power exhaust schemes employing impurity seeding are needed for target operational scenarios in present day tokamak devices with metallic plasma-facing components (PFCs). For an electricity-producing fusion power plant at power density P-sep/R > 15 MW/m divertor detachment is a requirement for heat load mitigation. 2D plasma edge transport codes like the SOLPS code as well as plasma-wall interaction (PWI) codes are key to disentangle relevant physical processes in power and particle exhaust. With increased quantitative credibility in such codes more realistic and physically sound estimates of the life-time expectations and performance of metallic PFCs can be accomplished for divertor conditions relevant for ITER and DEMO. An overview is given on the recent progress of plasma edge and PWI modelling activities for (carbon-free) metallic devices, that include results from JET with the ITER-like wall, ASDEX Upgrade and Alcator C-mod. It is observed that metallic devices offer an opportunity to progress the understanding of underlying plasma physics processes in the edge. The validation of models can be substantially improved by eliminating carbon from the experiment as well as from the numerical system with reduced degrees of freedom as no chemical sputtering from amorphous carbon layers and no carbon or hydro-carbon transport are present. With the absence of carbon as the primary plasma impurity and given the fact that the physics of the PWI at metallic walls is less complex it is possible to isolate the crucial plasma physics processes relevant for particle and power exhaust. For a reliable 2D dissipative plasma exhaust model these are: cross-field drifts, complete kinetic neutral physics, geometry effects (including main-chamber, divertor and sub-divertor structures), SOL transport reflecting also the non-diffusive nature of anomalous transport, as well as transport within the pedestal region in case of significant edge impurity radiation affecting pedestal, QC 20200316

A strong modelling program has been started in support of the future JET-DT campaign with the aim of guiding experiments in deuterium (D) towards maximizing fusion energy production in Deuterium-Tritium (DT). Some of the key elements have been identified by using several of the most updated and sophisticated models for predicting heat and particle transport, pedestal pressure and heating sources in an integrated modelling framework. For the high beta and low gas operational regime, the density plays a critical role and a trend towards higher fusion power is obtained at lower densities. Additionally, turbulence stabilization by E x B flow shear is shown to generate an isotope effect leading to higher confinement for DT than DD and therefore plasmas with high torque are suitable for maximizing fusion performance. Future JET campaigns will benefit from this modelling activity by defining clear priorities on their scientific program., QC 20200310

Identification of the mechanisms for the H-mode density limit in machines with fully metallic walls, and their scaling to future devices is essential to find for these machines the optimal operational boundaries with the highest attainable density and confinement. Systematic investigations of H-mode density limit plasmas in experiments with deuterium external gas fuelling have been performed on machines with fully metallic walls, JET and AUG and results have been compared with one another. Basically, the operation phases are identical for both tokamaks: the stable H-mode phase, degrading H-mode phase, breakdown of the H-mode with energy confinement deterioration usually accompanied by a dithering cycling phase, followed by the l -mode phase. The observed H-mode density limit on both machines is found close to the Greenwald limit (n/n GW = 0.8-1.1 in the observed magnetic configurations). The similar behavior of the radiation on both tokamaks demonstrates that the density limit (DL) is neither related to additional energy losses from the confined region by radiation, nor to an inward collapse of the hot discharge core induced by overcooling of the plasma periphery by radiation. It was observed on both machines that detachment, as well as the X-point MARFE itself, does not trigger a transition in the confinement regime and thus does not present a limit on the plasma density. It is the plasma confinement, most likely determined by edge parameters, which is ultimately responsible for the transition from H-to L-mode. The measured Greenwald fractions are found to be consistent with the predictions from different theoretical models [16,30] based on MHD instability theory in the near-SOL., QC 20200316

3D non-linear MHD simulations of a D-2 massive gas injection (MGI) triggered disruption in JET with the JOREK code provide results which are qualitatively consistent with experimental observations and shed light on the physics at play. In particular, it is observed that the gas destabilizes a large m/n = 2/1 tearing mode, with the island O-point coinciding with the gas deposition region, by enhancing the plasma resistivity via cooling. When the 2/1 island gets so large that its inner side reaches the q = 3/2 surface, a 3/2 tearing mode grows. Simulations suggest that this is due to a steepening of the current profile right inside q = 3/2. Magnetic field stochastization over a large fraction of the minor radius as well as the growth of higher n modes ensue rapidly, leading to the thermal quench (TQ). The role of the 1/1 internal kink mode is discussed. An I-p spike at the TQ is obtained in the simulations but with a smaller amplitude than in the experiment. Possible reasons are discussed., QC 20200310

A series of neon seeded JET ELMy H-mode pulses is considered from the modeling as well as from the experimental point of view. For two different Ne seeding rates and two different D puffing gas levels the heating power, P-heat, is in the range 22-29.5 MW. The main focus is on the numerical reconstruction of the total radiated power (which mostly depends on the W concentration) and its distribution between core and divertor and of Z(eff)(which mostly depends on the Ne concentration). To model self-consistently the core and the SOL two input parameters had to be adjusted case by case: the SOL diffusivity, D SOL, and the core impurity inward pinch, v(pinch). D-SOL had to be increased with increasing Gamma(Ne) and the level of v(pinch) had to be changed, for any given Gamma(Ne), according to the level of P-heat : it decreases with increasing P-heat. Since the ELM frequency, f(ELM), is experimentally correlated with P-heat, (it increases with P-heat) the impurity inward pinch can be seen as to depend on f(ELM). Therefore, to maintain a low v(pinch) level (i.e. high f(ELM)) Gamma(Ne)/P-heat should not exceed a certain threshold, which slightly increases with the Gamma(D) puffing rate. This might lead to a limitation in the viability of reducing the target heat load by Ne seeding at moderate Gamma(D), while keeping Z(eff) at acceptably low level., QC 20220922

A fully digital, prototype data acquisition system upgrade for the TOFOR neutron time-of-flight neutron spectrometer at the JET experimental fusion reactor in Culham, England, has been constructed. This upgrade, TOFu (Time-of-Flight upgrade), enables digitization of associated time and energy deposition information from the TOFOR scintillator detectors, facilitating discrimination of spectral background due to unrelated neutron events based on kinematic considerations. In this publication, a kinematic background discrimination method is presented using synthetic data and validated with experimental results. It is found that an improvement in signal-to-background ratio of 500% in certain spectral regions is possible with the new DAQ system., QC 20200310

This paper reports on the procedure developed as the best method to provide an accurate and reliable estimation of the ion temperature T-i and the toroidal velocity v(phi) from Charge-eXchange Recombination Spectroscopy (CXRS) data from intrinsic rotation experiments at the Joint European Torus with the carbon wall. The low impurity content observed in such plasmas, resulting in low active CXRS signal, alongside low Doppler shifts makes the determination of Ti and v(phi) particularly difficult. The beam modulation method will be discussed along with the measures taken to increase photon statistics and minimise errors from the absolute calibration and magneto-hydro-dynamics effects that may impact the CXRS passive emission., QC 20200310

In forthcoming deuterium-tritium (DT) experiments on JET a significant population of alpha-particles will be produced. For operating alpha-particle diagnostics at high DT neutron fluxes, specific improvements have to be made. Proposed new detectors for gamma-ray measurements will be based on CeBr3 and LaBr3:Ce scintillators. They are characterized by a good energy resolution, a relatively high detection efficiency for a few MeV gamma-rays and a fast response time. An overview of scintillator parameters is presented. A description of the properties of photodetectors is given to indicate optimal setups. Results of measurements, using gamma-ray sources with energies up to a few MeV, are discussed with relation to the DT campaign requirements., QC 20200414

The analyses illustrated in this manuscript have been performed in order to provide the required data for the amplitude-and-phase calibration of the D-dot voltage probes used in the ITER-like antenna at the Joint European Torus tokamak. Their equivalent electrical circuit has been extracted and analyzed, and it has been compared to the one of voltage probes installed in simple transmission lines. A radio-frequency calibration technique has been formulated and exact mathematical relations have been derived. This technique mixes in an elegant fashion data extracted from measurements and numerical calculations to retrieve the calibration factors. The latter have been compared to previous calibration data with excellent agreement proving the robustness of the proposed radio-frequency calibration technique. In particular, it has been stressed that it is crucial to take into account environmental parasitic effects. A low-frequency calibration technique has been in addition formulated and analyzed in depth. The equivalence between the radio-frequency and low-frequency techniques has been rigorously demonstrated. The radio-frequency calibration technique is preferable in the case of the ITER-like antenna due to uncertainties on the characteristics of the cables connected at the inputs of the voltage probes. A method to extract the effect of a mismatched data acquisition system has been derived for both calibration techniques. Finally it has been outlined that in the case of the ITER-like antenna voltage probes can be in addition used to monitor the currents at the inputs of the antenna., QC 20200416

The detection limit for helium (He) partial pressure monitoring via the Penning discharge optical emission diagnostic, mainly used for tokamak divertor effluent gas analysis, is shown here to be possible for He concentrations down to 0.1% in predominantly deuterium effluents. This result from a dedicated laboratory study means that the technique can now be extended to intrinsically (non-injected) He produced as fusion reaction ash in deuterium-tritium experiments. The paper also examines threshold ionization mass spectroscopy as a potential backup to the optical technique, but finds that further development is needed to attain with plasma pulse-relevant response times. Both these studies are presented in the context of continuing development of plasma pulse-resolving, residual gas analysis for the upcoming JET deuterium-tritium campaign (DTE2) and for ITER. Published by AIP Publishing., QC 20200417

In this paper we present the comparison of simulations with the numerical codes COREDIV and SOLPS5.0 for JET L-mode discharges with ITER like wall (ILW). The simulations have been performed for L-mode shots with and without nitrogen seeding (#82291 - 9) which are characterised by relatively low auxiliary heating power (P-NBI = 1.1 MW) and low electron density (n(e) = 2.35 x 10(19) m(-3)). Comparisons are made to the experimental measurements (e.g. radiation levels, plasma profiles) and the differences between the results from the two codes (e.g. temperature and density profiles at the outer divertor plate) are shown and discussed., QC 20200420

In the frame of the WPJET3-DT Technology project within the EUROfusion Consortium program, neutronics experiments are in preparation for the future deuterium-tritium campaign on JET (DTE2). The experiments will be conducted with the purpose to validate the neutronics codes and tools used in ITER, thus reducing the related uncertainties and the associated risks in the machine operation. This paper summarizes the status of previous shutdown dose rate benchmarks experiments and analyses performed at JET and focuses on the computational and experimental efforts conducted in preparation of the future DTE2 experiments. In particular, preliminary calculations and studies to select detectors and positions aimed to reduce uncertainties in the shutdown dose rate experiment are presented and discussed., QC 20200420

Experiments on JET, with both the previous carbon wall (JET-C) and the new Be/W wall (JET-ILW), have demonstrated the efficacy of using a fast vertical plasma motion (known as vertical kicks in JET) for active ELM control. In this paper we report on a series of experiments that have been recently conducted in JET-ILW with the goal of further improving the physics understanding of the processes governing the triggering of ELMs via vertical kicks. This is a necessary step to confidently extrapolate this ELM control method to ITER. Experiments have shown that ELMs can be reliably triggered provided a minimum vertical plasma displacement and velocity is imposed. The magnitude of the minimum displacement depends on the plasma parameters, being smaller for higher pedestal temperatures and lower collisionalities, which is encouraging in view of ITER. Modelling and stability analysis suggest that a localized current density induced by the vertical plasma movement close to the separatrix plays a major role in the ELM triggering mechanism, which is consistent with the experimental observations. The implications of these results for the extrapolation of this ELM control scheme to ITER are discussed., QC 20200416

The power output of fusion devices is measured in terms of the neutron yield which relates directly to the fusion yield. JET made a transition from Carbon wall to ITER-Like Wall (Beryllium/Tungsten/Carbon) during 2010-11. Absolutely calibrated measurement of the neutron yield by JET neutron monitors was ensured by direct measurements using a calibrated Cf-252 neutron source (NS) deployed by the in-vessel remote handling system (RHS) inside the JET vacuum vessel. Neutronic calculations were required in order to understand the neutron transport from the source in the vacuum vessel to the fission chamber detectors mounted outside the vessel on the transformer limbs of the tokamak. We developed a simplified computational model of JET and the JET RHS in Monte Carlo neutron transport code MCNP and analyzed the paths and structures through which neutrons reach the detectors and the effect of the JET RHS on the neutron monitor response. In addition we performed several sensitivity studies of the effect of substantial massive structures blocking the ports on the external neutron monitor response. As the simplified model provided a qualitative picture of the process only, some calculations were repeated using a more detailed full 3D model of the JET tokamak. (C) 2016 EURATOM. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., QC 20200420

A new analytical approximation for the electric potential profile in the presence of an oblique magnetic field and the analytical solution for the particle motion just before the impact with a plasma-facing surface are presented. These approximations are in good agreement with fluid solutions and the corresponding PIC simulations. These expressions were applied to provide effective physical erosion yields for Be, which have in a second step been used in ERO code simulations of spectroscopy at Be limiters of the JET ITER-like wall. These new analytical expressions lead to an increase of the effective physical sputtering yields of Be by deuteron impact up to 30% in comparison with earlier pure numerical simulations. (, QC 20200420

The amplitude of locked instabilities, likely magnetic islands, seen as precursors to disruptions has been studied using data from the JET, ASDEX Upgrade and COMPASS tokamaks. It was found that the thermal quench, that often initiates the disruption, is triggered when the amplitude has reached a distinct level. This information can be used to determine thresholds for simple disruption prediction schemes. The measured amplitude in part depends on the distance of the perturbation to the measurement coils. Hence the threshold for the measured amplitude depends on the mode location (i.e. the rational q-surface) and thus indirectly on parameters such as the edge safety factor, q(95), and the internal inductance, li(3), that determine the shape of the q-profile. These dependencies can be used to set the disruption thresholds more precisely. For the ITER baseline scenario, with typically q(95) = 3.2, li(3) = 0.9 and taking into account the position of the measurement coils on ITER, the maximum allowable measured locked mode amplitude normalized to engineering parameters was estimated to be a.B-ML(r, QC 20200420

An overview is given on the recent progress on edge modelling activities for the JET ITER-like wall using the computational tools like the SOLPS or EDGE2D-EIRENE code. The validation process of these codes on JET with its metallic plasma-facing components is an important step towards predictive studies for ITER and DEMO in relevant divertor operational conditions, i.e., for detached, radiating divertors. With increased quantitative credibility in such codes more reliable input to plasma-wall and plasma-material codes can be warranted, which in turn results in more realistic and physically sound estimates of the life-time expectations and performance of a Be first-wall and a W-divertor, the same materials configuration foreseen for ITER. A brief review is given on the recent achievements in the plasma-wall interaction and material migration studies. Finally, a short summary is given on the availability and development of integrated codes to assess the performance of an JET-ILW baseline scenario also in view of the preparation for a JET DT-campaign., QC 20200420

Rotating collectors and quartz microbalances (QMBs) are used in JET to provide time-dependent measurements of erosion and deposition. Rotation of collector discs behind apertures allows recording of the long term evolution of deposition. QMBs measure mass change via the frequency deviations of vibrating quartz crystals. These diagnostics are used to investigate erosion/deposition during JET-C carbon operation and JET-ILW (ITER-like wall) beryllium/tungsten operation. A simple geometrical model utilising experimental data is used to model the time-dependent collector deposition profiles, demonstrating good qualitative agreement with experimental results. Overall, the JET-ILW collector deposition is reduced by an order of magnitude relative to JET-C, with beryllium replacing carbon as the dominant deposit. However, contrary to JET-C, in JET-ILW there is more deposition on the outer collector than the inner. This reversal of deposition asymmetry is investigated using an analysis of QMB data and is attributed to the different chemical properties of carbon and beryllium., QC 20200420

During some JET vertical displacement events (VDEs) plasma current and position are found to be toroidally asymmetric. When asymmetries lock, the vessel has been observed to move horizontally, consequently strong horizontal forces are expected following plasma asymmetries, whether locked or rotating. The cause of horizontal forces is, as already identified in previous works, the asymmetric circulation of current in the structures. The physics mechanism responsible for these asymmetric currents is instead an open issue and it is the object of the present analysis. In particular it will be shown that the asymmetry is not due to a direct exchange of current between plasma and structure (as in the case of halo currents) but to asymmetric conductive paths which arise, in the structures, when the plasma column asymmetrically wets the wall. Simulations of this phenomenon using finite element (FE) models have been conducted to reproduce the JET observation during locked and rotating asymmetric VDEs. Estimated sideways force, asymmetry (I-p(asym)) and normalized asymmetry (A(p)(asym)) of plasma current, vertical position at different toroidal locations during the disruption and halo current asymmetry have been compared with measurements done at JET during upward AVDEs. The substantial match between experiments and simulations confirms the soundness of the assumptions. Furthermore, the same physical model applied to downward VDEs shows that divertor support and coils, together with the geometry of the limiting surfaces, considerably lessen asymmetric loads as experienced at JET after installing those components., QC 20200416

Extensive preparations are now underway for an experiment in the Joint European Torus QET) using tritium and deuterium tritium mixtures. The goals of this experiment are described as well as the progress that has been made in developing plasma operational scenarios and physics reference pulses for use in deuterium tritium and full tritium plasmas. At present, the high performance plasmas to be tested with tritium are based on either a conventional ELMy H-mode at high plasma current and magnetic field (operation at up to 4 MA and 4T is being prepared) or the so-called improved H-mode or hybrid regime of operation in which high normalised plasma pressure at somewhat reduced plasma current results in enhanced energy confinement. Both of these regimes are being re-developed in conjunction with JET's ITER-like Wall (ILW) of beryllium and tungsten. The influence of the ILW on plasma operation and performance has been substantial. Considerable progress has been made on optimising performance with the all-metal wall. Indeed, operation at the (normalised) ITER reference confinement and pressure has been re-established in JET albeit not yet at high current. In parallel with the physics development, extensive technical preparations are being made to operate JET with tritium. The state and scope of these preparations is reviewed, including the work being done on the safety case for DT operation and on upgrading machine infrastructure and diagnostics. A specific example of the latter is the planned calibration at 14 MeV of JET neutron diagnostics., QC 20200420

Global gas balance experiments at ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) and JET have shown that a considerable fraction of nitrogen injected for radiative cooling is not recovered as N-2 upon regeneration of the liquid helium cryo pump. The most probable loss channels are ion implantation into plasma-facing materials, co-deposition and ammonia formation. These three mechanisms are investigated in laboratory and tokamak experiments and by numerical simulations. Laboratory experiments have shown that implantation of nitrogen ions into beryllium and tungsten leads to the formation of surface nitrides, which may decompose under thermal loads. On beryllium the presence of nitrogen at the surface has been seen to reduce the sputtering yield. On tungsten surfaces it has been observed that the presence of nitrogen can increase hydrogen retention. The global nitrogen retention in AUG by implantation into the tungsten surfaces saturates. At JET the steady state nitrogen retention is increased by co-deposition with beryllium. The tokamak experiments are interpreted in detail by simulations of the global migration with WallDYN. Mass spectrometry of the exhaust gas of AUG and JET has revealed the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia at percent-levels. Conclusions are drawn on the potential implications of nitrogen seeding on the operation of a reactor in a deuterium-tritium mix., QC 20200420

Within the framework of the EUROfusion programme, a work-package of technology projects (WPJET3) is being carried out in conjunction with the planned Deuterium-Tritium experiment on JET (DTE2) with the objective of maximising the scientific and technological return of DT operations at JET in support of ITER. This paper presents the progress since the start of the project in 2014 in the preparatory experiments, analyses and studies in the areas of neutronics, neutron induced activation and damage in ITER materials, nuclear safety, tritium retention, permeation and outgassing, and waste production in preparation of DTE2., QC 20200420

Experiments in the JET tokamak equipped with the ITER-like wall (ILW) revealed that the inner and outer target plate at the location of the strike points represent after one year of operation intact tungsten (W) surfaces without any beryllium (Be) surface coverage. The dynamics of near-surface retention, implantation, desorption and recycling of deuterium (D) in the divertor of plasma discharges are determined by W target plates. As the W plasma-facing components (PFCs) are not actively cooled, the surface temperature (T-surface) is increasing with plasma exposure, varying the balance between these processes in addition to the impinging deuteron fluxes and energies. The dynamic behaviour on a slow time scale of seconds was quantified in a series of identical L-mode discharges (JET Pulse Number (JPN)#81938-73) by intra-shot gas analysis providing the reduction of deuterium retention in W PFCs by 1/3 at a base temperature (T-base) range at the outer target plate between 65 degrees C and 150 degrees C equivalent to a T-surface span of 150 degrees C and 420 degrees C. The associated recycling and molecular D desorption during the discharge varies only at lowest temperatures moderately, whereas desorption between discharges rises significantly with increasing T-base. The retention measurements represent the sum of inner and outer divertor interaction at comparable T-surface. The dynamic behaviour on a fast time scale of ms was studied in a series of identical H-mode discharges (JPN #83623-83974) and coherent edge-localized mode (ELM) averaging. High energetic ELMs of about 3 keV are impacting on the W PFCs with fluxes of 3 x 10(23) D+ s(-1) m(-2) which is about four times higher than inter-ELM ion fluxes with an impact energy of about E-im = 200 eV. This intra-ELM ion flux is associated with a high heat flux of about 60 MW m(-2) to the outer target plate which causes T-surface rise by Delta T = 100 K per ELM covering finally the range between 160 degrees C and 1400 degre, QC 20200420

A selected set of samples from JET-ILW divertor tiles exposed in 2011-2012 has been analysed using thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS). The highest amount of deuterium was found on the regions with the thickest deposited layers, i.e. on the horizontal (apron) part and on the top part of Tile 1, which resides deep in the scrape-off layer. Outer divertor Tiles 6, 7 and 8 had nearly an order of magnitude less deuterium. The co-deposited layers on the JET tiles and the W coatings contain C, O and Ni impurities which may change the desorption properties. The D-2 signals in the TDS spectra were convoluted and the positions of the peaks were compared with the Be and C amounts but no correlations between them were found. The remaining fractions of D in the analysed samples at ITER baking temperature 350 degrees C are rather high implying that co-deposited films may be difficult to be de-tritiated., QC 20200420

There is experimental evidence that the pedestal dynamics in type-I ELMy H-mode discharges is significantly affected by a change in the recycling conditions at the tungsten plasma-facing components (W-PFCs) after an ELM event. The integrated code JINTRAC has been employed to assess the impact of recycling conditions during type-I ELMs in JET ITER-like wall H-mode discharges. By employing a heuristic approach, a model to mimic the physical processes leading to formation and release (i.e. outgassing) of finite near-surface fuel reservoirs in W-PFCs has been implemented into the EDGE2D-EIRENE plasma-wall interaction code being part of JINTRAC. As main result it is shown, that a delay in the density pedestal build-up after an ELM event can be provoked by reduced recycling induced by depleted W-PFC particle near-surface reservoirs. However the pedestal temperature evolution is barely affected by the change in recycling parameters suggesting that the presented model is incomplete., QC 20200420

Radiative divertor operation in JET high confinement mode plasmas with the ITER-like wall has been experimentally investigated and simulated with EDGE2D-EIRENE in horizontal and vertical low field side (LFS) divertor configurations. The simulations show that the LFS divertor heat fluxes are reduced with N2-injection in similar fashion in both configurations, qualitatively consistent with experimental observations. The simulations show no substantial difference between the two configurations in the reduction of the peak LFS heat flux as a function of divertor radiation, nitrogen concentration, or pedestal Zeff. Consistently, experiments show similar divertor radiation and nitrogen injection levels for similar LFS peak heat flux reduction in both configurations. Nevertheless, the LFS strike point is predicted to detach at 20% lower separatrix density in the vertical than in the horizontal configuration. However, since the peak LFS heat flux in partial detachment in the vertical configurations is shifted towards the far scrape-off layer (SOL), the simulations predict no benefit in the reduction of LFS peak heat flux for a given upstream density in the vertical configuration relative to a horizontal one. A factor of 2 reduction of deuterium ionization source inside the separatrix is observed in the simulations when changing to the vertical configuration. The simulations capture the experimentally observed particle and heat flux reduction at the LFS divertor plate in both configurations, when adjusting the impurity injection rate to reproduce the measured divertor radiation. However, the divertor D-alpha-emissions are underestimated by a factor of 2-5, indicating a short-fall in radiation by the fuel species. In the vertical configuration, detachment is experimentally measured and predicted to start next to the strike point, extending towards the far SOL with increasing degree of detachment. In contrast, in the horizontal configuration, the entire divertor particle flux, QC 20200420

Determination of causal-effect relationships can be a difficult task even in the analysis of time series. This is particularly true in the case of complex, nonlinear systems affected by significant levels of noise. Causality can be modelled as a flow of information between systems, allowing to better predict the behaviour of a phenomenon on the basis of the knowledge of the one causing it. Therefore, information theoretic tools, such as the transfer entropy, have been used in various disciplines to quantify the causal relationship between events. In this paper, Transfer Entropy is applied to determining the information relationship between various phenomena in Tokamaks. The proposed approach provides unique insight about information causality in difficult situations, such as the link between sawteeth and ELMs and ELM pacing experiments. The application to the determination of disruption causes, and therefore to the classification of disruption types, looks also very promising. The obtained results indicate that the proposed method can provide a quantitative and statistically sound criterion to address the causal-effect relationships in various difficult and ambiguous situations if the data is of sufficient quality., QC 20200416

The reduced radiotoxicity and half-life of radioactive waste arisings from nuclear fusion reactors as compared to current fission reactors is one of the key benefits of nuclear fusion. As a result of the research programme at the Joint European Torus (JET), significant experience on the management of radioactive waste has been gained which will be of benefit to ITER and the nuclear fusion community. The successful management of radioactive waste is dependent on accurate and efficient tracking and characterisation of waste streams. To accomplish this all items at JET which are removed from radiological areas are identified and pre-characterised, by recording the radiological history, before being removed from or moved between radiological areas. This system ensures a history of each item is available when it is finally consigned as radioactive waste and also allows detailed forecasting of future arisings. All radioactive waste generated as part of JET operations is transferred to dedicated, on-site, handling facilities for further sorting, sampling and final streaming for off-site disposal. Tritium extraction techniques including leaching, combustion and thermal treatment followed by liquid scintillation counting are used to determine tritium content. Recent changes to government legislation and Culham specific disposal permit conditions have allowed CCFE to adopt additional disposal routes for fusion wastes requiring new treatment and analysis techniques. Facilities currently under construction include a water de-tritiation facility and a materials de-tritiation facility, both of which are relevant for ITER. The procedures used to manage radioactive waste from generation to off-site disposal have been assessed for relevance to ITER and a number have been shown to be significant. The procedures and de-tritiation factors demonstrated by radioactive waste treatment plants currently under construction will be important to tritium recovery and waste minimisation in ITER, QC 20200420

A new Safety Case is required to permit tritium operations on JET during the forthcoming DTE2 campaign. The outputs, benefits and lessons learned associated with the production of this Safety Case are presented. The changes that have occurred to the Safety Case methodology since the last JET tritium Safety Case are reviewed. Consideration is given to the effects of modifications, particularly ITER related changes, made to the JET and the impact these have on the hazard assessments as well as normal operations. Several specialized assessments, including recent MELCOR modelling, have been undertaken to support the production of this Safety Case and the impact of these assessments is outlined. Discussion of the preliminary actions being taken to progress implementation of this Safety Case is provided, highlighting new methods to improve the dissemination of the key Safety Case results to the plant operators. Finally, the work required to complete this Safety Case, before the next tritium campaign, is summarized. (C) 2016 EURATOM. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., QC 20200420

For tritium processing in JET during the next Deuterium-Tritium-Experiment (DTE2), a fully tritium compatible and continuously working vacuum pumping system has been developed. This pump train will be used as roughing pump to cover a pressure regime between 10(-1) Pa and ambient pressure. Therefore, a two-stage liquid ring pump in combination with a booster vapor diffusion pump will be applied. In this paper, a close-to-final design of the pumps is being described. Finite element (FEM) simulation results of components where high mechanical stresses due to thermal gradients are expected are presented. Furthermore, the final design of the control and data acquisition system is shown and explained., QC 20200420

In October 2014, JET completed a scoping study involving high power scenario development in preparation for DT along with other experiments critical for ITER. These experiments have involved intentional and unintentional melt damage both to bulk beryllium main chamber tiles and to divertor tiles. This paper provides an overview of the findings of concern for machine protection in JET and ITER, illustrating each case with high resolution images taken by remote handling or after removal from the machine. The bulk beryllium upper dump plate tiles and some other protection tiles have been repeatedly flash melted by what we believe to be mainly fast unmitigated disruptions. The flash melting produced in this way is seen at all toroidal locations and the melt layer is driven by j x B forces radially outward and upwards against gravity. In contrast, the melt pools caused while attempting to use MGI to mitigate deliberately generated runaway electron beams are localized to several limiters and the ejected material appears less influenced by j. x. B forces and shows signs of boiling. In the divertor, transient melting of bulk tungsten by ELMs was studied in support of the ITER divertor material decision using a specially prepared divertor module containing an exposed edge. Removal of the module from the machine in 2015 has provided improved imaging of the melt and this confirms that the melt layers are driven by ELMs. No other melt damage to the other 9215 bulk tungsten lamellas has yet been observed., QC 20200417

Tritium distributions on the W-coated divertor tiles used with Be wall in JET 2011-2012 ITER-like wall (JET-ILW) campaign were measured using an imaging plate (IP) technique. The high intensity of photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) from IP was observed at the regions covered by deposited Be layers. However, the PSL intensity was not simply proportional to the thickness of the deposited Be layers; the shadowed region of Tile 4 showed the highest PSL intensity though the thickness of deposited Be layer on this region was smaller than that on Tile 0 and the apron of Tile 1 by an order of magnitude. These observations indicated the influence of impurities such as oxygen on tritium retention in the deposited Be layers. The C tiles used in the 20072009 JET carbon wall (JET-C) campaign were also examined. The high PSL intensity was observed for the regions covered with deposited C layers in this case. The area of tile surfaces covered by the deposited tritium-rich layers on the W-coatedtiles used in the JET-ILW campaign was significantly smaller than that on the C tiles used in the JET-C campaign., QC 20200417

Profiles of the ratio of fusion power and the auxiliary heating power (MT are calculated for the TFTR and JET discharges with the highest neutron emission rates, and arc predicted for ITER. Core values above 1.3 for JET and 0.8 for TFTR are obtained, Values above 20 are predicted for ITER baseline plasmas., QC 20200416

In this paper numerical simulations with the self-consistent COREDIV code of the planned JET DT experiments have been performed. First, record shot from the 1997 experiments was simulated and good agreement with experimental data has been found. Direct extrapolation of the carbon wall results to the new ILW configuration (discharge parameters as for the shot #42746) shows very good core plasma performance with even higher fusion power but with too large power to the divertor. However, with the neon seeding the heat load and plate temperatures can be efficiently reduced keeping good the plasma performance. Investigations have been done also for the planned DT operation scenario based on a conventional ELMy H-mode at high plasma current and magnetic field. Simulations for the reference ELMy H-mode shot #87412 show good agreement with the experimental data but the direct extrapolation of the DD results to deuterium-tritium operation shows relatively poor performance in terms of the achieved fusion power. The situation improves, if the highest heating power is assumed (41 MW) and fusion powers in the excess of 12 MW can be achieved. All the high performance shots require the heat load control by neon seeding which shows rather beneficial effect on the plasma performance allowing for relatively wide operational window in terms of the amount of the allowed neon influx., QC 20200420

Edge localised mode (ELM) control may be essential to develop ITER scenarios with a reasonable lifetime of divertor components, whilst ELM pacing may be essential to develop stationary ITER scenarios with a tungsten divertor. Resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) have mitigated ELMs in high collisionality plasmas in JET. The efficacy of RMPs in mitigating the ELMs is found to depend on plasma shaping, with the change in magnetic boundary achieved when non-axisymmetric fields are applied facilitating access to small ELM regimes. The understanding of ELM pacing by vertical kicks or pellets has also been improved in a range of pedestal conditions in JET (T-ped = 0.7-1.3 keV) encompassing the ITER-expected domain (beta(N) = 1.4-2.4, H-98(y,H- 2) = 0.8-1.2, f(GW) similar to 0.7). ELM triggering is reliable provided the perturbation is above a threshold which depends on pedestal parameters. ELM triggering is achieved even in the first 10% of the natural ELM cycle suggesting no inherent maximum frequency. At high normalised pressure, the peeling-ballooning modes are stabilised as predicted by ELITE, necessitating a larger perturbation from either kicks or pellets in order to trigger ELMs. Both kicks and pellets have been used to pace ELMs for tungsten flushing. This has allowed stationary plasma conditions with low gas injection in plasmas where the natural ELM frequency is such that it would normally preclude stationary conditions., QC 20200417

DIII-D plasmas at very low sity exhibit the onset of n = 1 error field (EF) penetration (the 'low-density locked mode') not at a critical density or EF, but instead at a critical level of runaway electron (RE) intensity. Raising the density during a discharge does not avoid EF penetration, so long as RE growth proceeds to the critical level, Penetration is preceded by non-thermalization of the electron cyclotron emission, anisotropization of the total pressure, synchrotron emission shape changes, as well as decreases in the loop voltage and bulk thermal electron temperature. The same phenomena occur despite various types of optimal EF correction, and in some cases modes are born rotating, Similar phenomena are also found at the low -density limit in JET, These results stand in contrast to the conventional interpretation of the low -density stability limit as being due to residual EFs and demonstrate a new: pathway to EF penetration instability due to REs, Existing scaling laws for penetration project to increasing EF sensitivity as bulk temperatures decrease, though other possible mechanisms include classical tearing instability, thenno-resistive instability, and pressure -anisotropy driven instability, Regardless of the first-principles mechanism, known scaling laws for Ohmic energy confinement combined with theoretical RE production rates allow rough extrapolation of the RE criticality condition, and thus the low -density limit, to other tokamaks. The extrapolated low -density limit by this pathway decreases with increasing machine size and is considerably below expected operating conditions for I FER, While likely unimportant for ITER, this effect can explain the low -density limit of existing tokamaks operating with small residual EFs., QC 20200416

x-ray micro-laminography was qualified and implemented as a complementary solution for the 3D microstructural analysis of tungsten coated carbon-fibre reinforced carbon (W/CFC) samples retrieved from JET ITER-like wall. As expected, the W layers spatially correlate with the morphology of the CFC substrate. Three main cases were distinguished; (i) tungsten layers coated parallel to PAN fibre bundles tend to have a quasi-continuous, weakly waved surface (waves amplitude <100 mu m); (ii) tungsten layers coated onto the relatively porous felt region appear to smoothly follow even the surface of the largest pores of around 250 mu m and (iii) samples coated perpendicular to the PAN fibre bundles display frequently and strong crater-like discontinuities of the metal layer. The characteristics dimensions of these gaps range in the order of 300-400 mu m both in the coating plane and perpendicular to it. On some craters the bottom W layer is broken and the generated debris can be found even deeper than one mm into the CFC substrate. These W particles, sized of 20-40 mu m, are always found in the large gaps located between the fibre bundles perpendicular to the coated surface., QC 20200417

In hybrid plasma operation in JET with its ITER-like wall (JET-ILW) it is found that n > 1 tearing activity can significantly enhance the rate of on-axis peaking of high-Z impurities, which in turn significantly degrades discharge performance. Core n = 1 instabilities can be beneficial in removing impurities from the plasma core (e.g. sawteeth or fishbones), but can conversely also degrade core confinement (particularly in combination with simultaneous n = 3 activity). The nature of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities in JET hybrid discharges, with both its previous carbon wall and subsequent JET-ILW, is surveyed statistically and the character of the instabilities is examined. Possible qualitative models for how the n > 1 islands can enhance the on-axis impurity transport accumulation processes are presented., QC 20200416

The migration of wall material or seeding impurities plays an important role in the formation of mixed materials, the impurity contamination of the plasma and tritium retention. First, this work presents an improved model for the sputtering from mixed material surfaces in WallDYN. Second, we present dynamic SDTrimSP and WallDYN simulations of the nitrogen implantation in Be and the migration of nitrogen in tokamaks with a Be main wall. The simulations with the binary collision code SDTrimSP predict that N accumulates directly at the surface and that the Be erosion decreases with increasing N surface content. A first application of WallDYN to the nitrogen migration with an ITER-like wall indicates that the Be main wall may cause wall pumping of N by co-deposition with Be., QC 20200417

The ITER baseline scenario, with 500 MW of DT fusion power and Q = 10, will rely on a Type I ELMy H-mode and will be achieved with a tungsten (W) divertor. W atoms sputtered from divertor targets during mitigated ELMs are expected to be the dominant source in ITER. W impurity concentration in the plasma core can dramatically degrade its performance and lead to potentially damaging disruptions. Understanding the physics of the target W source due to sputtering during ELMs and inter-ELMs is important and can be helped by experimental measurements with improved precision. It has been established that the ELMy target ion impact energy has a simple linear dependence with the pedestal electron temperature measured by Electron Cyclotron Emission (ECE). It has also been shown that Langmuir Probes (LP) ion flux measurements are reliable during ELMs due to the surprisingly low electron temperature. Therefore, in this paper, LP and ECE measurements in JET-ITER-Like-Wall (ILW) unseeded Type I ELMy H-mode experiments have been used to estimate the W sputtering flux from divertor targets in ELM and inter-ELM conditions. Comparison with similar estimates using W I spectroscopy measurements shows a reasonable agreement for the ELM and inter-ELM W source. The main advantage of the method involving LP measurements is the very high time resolution of the diagnostic (similar to 10 mu s) allowing very precise description of the W sputtering source during ELMs., QC 20200417

The spectral broadening of gamma-rays from fusion plasmas can be measured in high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS). We derive weight functions that determine the observable velocity space and quantify the velocity-space sensitivity of one-step reaction high-resolution GRS measurements in magnetized fusion plasmas. The weight functions suggest that GRS resolves the energies of fast ions directly without the need for tomographic inversion for selected one-step reactions at moderate plasma temperatures. The D(p,gamma)He-3 reaction allows the best direct fast-ion energy resolution. We illustrate our general formalism using reactions with and without intrinsic broadening of the gamma-rays for the GRS diagnostic at JET., QC 20200416

In the present paper marker structures consisting of W/Mo layers were deposited on bulk W samples by using a modified CMSII method. This technology, compared to standard CMSII, prevents the formation of nano-pore structures at interfaces. The thicknesses of the markers were in the range 20-35 mu m to balance the requirements associated with the wall erosion in ITER and thermo-mechanical performances. The coatings structure and composition were evaluated by glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy measurements (EDX). The adhesion of the coatings to the substrate has been assessed by scratch test method. In order to evaluate their effectiveness as potential markers for fusion applications, the marker coatings have been tested in an electron beam facility at a temperature of 1000 degrees C and a power density of about 3 MW m(-2). A number of 300 pulses with duration of 420 s (35 testing hours) were applied on the marker coated samples., QC 20200417

Geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) have been investigated in JET ohmic discharges using mainly Doppler backscattering. Characteristics and scaling properties of the GAM are studied. Time and spatial resolved measurements of the perpendicular velocity indicate that GAMs are located in a narrow layer at the edge density gradient region with amplitude corresponding to about 50% of the mean local perpendicular velocity. GAMs on JET appear to be regulated by the turbulence drive rather than by their damping rate. It is also shown that the GAM amplitude is similar to 20% larger in deuterium than in hydrogen plasmas., QC 20200416

Control of instabilities such as ELMs and sawteeth is considered an important ingredient in the development of reactor-relevant scenarios. Various forms of ELM pacing have been tried in the past to influence their behavior using external perturbations. One of the main problems with these synchronization experiments resides in the fact that ELMs are periodic or quasi-periodic in nature. Therefore, after any pulsed perturbation, if one waits long enough, an ELM is always bound to occur. To evaluate the effectiveness of ELM pacing techniques, it is crucial to determine an appropriate interval over which they can have a real influence and an effective triggering capability. In this paper, three independent statistical methods are described to address this issue: Granger causality, transfer entropy and recurrence plots. The obtained results for JET with the ITER-like wall (ILW) indicate that the proposed techniques agree very well and provide much better estimates than the traditional heuristic criteria reported in the literature. Moreover, their combined use allows for the improvement of the time resolution of the assessment and determination of the efficiency of the pellet triggering in different phases of the same discharge. Therefore, the developed methods can be used to provide a quantitative and statistically robust estimate of the triggering efficiency of ELM pacing under realistic experimental conditions., QC 20200416

Operation with a Be/W wall at JET (JET-ILW) has an impact on scenario development and energy confinement with respect to the carbon wall (JET-C). The main differences observed were (1) strong accumulation of W in the plasma core and (2) the need to mitigate the divertor target temperature to avoid W sputtering by Be and other low Z impurities and (3) a decrease of plasma energy confinement. A major difference is observed on the pedestal pressure, namely a reduction of the pedestal temperature which, due to profile stiffness the plasma core temperature is also reduced leading to a degradation of the global confinement. This effect is more pronounced in low beta(N) scenarios. At high beta(N), the impact of the wall on the plasma energy confinement is mitigated by the weaker plasma energy degradation with power relative to the IPB98(y, 2) scaling calculated empirically for a CFC first wall. The smaller tolerable impurity concentration for tungsten (<10 (5)) compared to that of carbon requires the use of electron heating methods to prevent W accumulation in the plasma core region as well as gas puffing to avoid W entering the plasma core by ELM flushing and reduction of the W source by decreasing the target temperature. W source and the target temperature can also be controlled by impurity seeding. Nitrogen and Neon have been used and with both gases the reduction of the W source and the target temperature is observed. Whilst more experiments with Neon are necessary to assess its impact on energy confinement, a partial increase of plasma energy confinement is observed with Nitrogen, through the increase of edge temperature. The challenge for scenario development at JET is to extend the pulse length curtailed by its transient behavior (W accumulation or MHD), but more importantly by the divertor target temperature limits. Re-optimisation of the scenarios to mitigate the effect of the change of wall materials maintaining high global energy confinement similar to JET-C, QC 20200417

Nonlinear gyrokinetic codes allow for detailed understanding of tokamak core turbulent transport. However, their computational demand precludes their use for predictive profile modeling. An alternative approach is required to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and prediction of experiments. A quasilinear gyrokinetic model, QuaLiKiz (Bourdelle et al 2007 Phys. Plasmas 14 112501), is demonstrated to be rapid enough to ease systematic interface with experiments. The derivation and approximation of this approach are reviewed. The quasilinear approximation is proven valid over a wide range of core plasma parameters. Examples of profile prediction using QuaLiKiz coupled to the CRONOS integrated modeling code (Artaud et al 2010 Nucl. Fusion 50 043001) are presented. QuaLiKiz is being coupled to other integrated modeling platforms such as ETS and JETTO. QuaLiKiz quasilinear gyrokinetic turbulent heat, particle and angular momentum fluxes are available to all users. It allows for extensive stand-alone interpretative analysis and for first principle based integrated predictive modeling., QC 20200417