Investigating 3D plasma responses for W-divertor compatible plasma shapes in KSTAR with an integrated modeling framework*

KSTAR is on the frontier of long-pulse Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP) ELM-suppressed H-mode scenarios, strongly supported by carefully configured 3D-field optimization [1] in terms of the plasma response. KSTAR plans to expand this effort with a new tungsten divertor starting in late 2023.  Due to the high sensitivity of plasma response to plasma parameters, the new wall geometry and plasma shape solicits new 3D response predictions and optimization for RMP-ELM control on KSTAR. This study introduces an integrated modeling framework to predict the plasma response and stability with an anticipated new KSTAR plasma shape. The framework generates tightly converged equilibria satisfying a target set of plasma parameters (Ip, β, l_i) with a self-consistent set of kinetic and current profiles constrained by an EPED(NN)-computed pedestal [2]. These equilibria are used to calculate the plasma response and stability using the GPEC [3] module. We also preliminarily explore the application of this framework to fusion reactor costing studies conducted with FAROES [4].

[1] S.M. Yang et al. NF 60, 096023 [2] O. Meneghini et al. NF 57, 086034 [3] J.K. Park and N.C. Logan POP 24, 032505 [4] J.A. Schwartz et al NF 62, 076006