First SOLPS-ITER predictions of the impact of cross-field drifts on divertor and scrape-off layer conditions in double-null configuration of STEP

Introduction of cross-field drifts in SOLPS-ITER simulations of connected double-null plasmas in STEP with the ion $\nabla B \times B$ drift towards the upper divertors was found to enhance the detachment of the inner divertors with decreased target densities and ion and heat fluxes, while simultaneously complicating the access to detachment in the outer lower divertor by increasing the target temperature and heat loads to levels above the engineering limits. The $\nabla B \times B$ drift was observed to significantly affect the radial heat transport between the core and the scrape-off layer (SOL), altering the poloidal temperature and pressure profiles and, consequently, the poloidal conductive and convective heat transport in the SOL. As a result, up-down asymmetries of 52:48 and 58:42 biased towards the outer lower and upper inner divertors, respectively, were observed to arise in the unmitigated power entering the divertor regions, breaking the up-down symmetry seen in simulations without the drift terms and contradicting with earlier experimental observations on the low-field side. Moreover, the upstream electron density was found to decrease noticeably in the core and separatrix regions following the activation of the drifts due to an increased share of the neutrals arriving from D _2 injections near the upper and lower X-points ionizing already in the private flux regions.