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Register a new userNon-planar elasticae as optimal curves for the magnetic axis of stellarators
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The problem of finding an optimal curve for the target magnetic axis of a stellarator is addressed. Euler-Lagrange equations are derived for finite length three-dimensional curves that extremise their bending energy while yielding fixed integrated torsion. The obvious translational and rotational symmetry is exploited to express solutions in a preferred cylindrical coordinate system in terms of elliptic Jacobi functions. These solution curves, which, up to similarity transformations, depend on three dimensionless parameters, do not necessarily close. Two closure conditions are obtained for the vertical and toroidal displacement (the radial coordinate being trivially periodic) to yield a countably infinite set of one-parameter families of closed non-planar curves. The behaviour of the integrated torsion (Twist of the Frenet frame), the Linking of the Frenet frame and the Writhe of the solution curves is studied in light of the Calugareanu theorem. A refreshed interpretation of Merciers formula for the on-axis rotational transform of stellarator magnetic field-lines is proposed.
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After characterizing the integrable discrete analogue of the Eulers elastica, we focus our attention on the problem of approximating a given discrete planar curve by an appropriate discrete Eulers elastica. We carry out the fairing process via a $L^2!$-distance minimization to avoid the numerical instabilities. The optimization problem is solved via a gradient-driven optimization method (IPOPT). This problem is non-convex and the result strongly depends on the initial guess, so that we use a discrete analogue of the algorithm provided by Brander et al., which gives an initial guess to the optimization method.
In this paper we consider the log-aesthetic curves and their generalization which are used in CAGD. We consider those curves under similarity geometry and characterize them as stationary integrable flow on plane curves which is governed by the Burgers equation. We propose a variational formulation of those curves whose Euler-Lagrange equation yields the stationary Burgers equation. Our result suggests that the log-aesthetic curves and their generalization can be regarded as the similarity geometric analogue of Eulers elasticae.
It is shown that the magnetic-field coils of a stellarator can, at least in principle, be substantially simplified by the use of permanent magnets. Such magnets cannot create toroidal magnetic flux but they can be used to shape the plasma and thus to create poloidal flux and rotational transform, thereby easing the requirements on the magnetic-field coils. As an example, a quasiaxisymmetric stellarator configuration is constructed with only 8 circular coils (all identical) and permanent magnets.
With the advent of neoclassically optimised stellarators, optimising stellarators for turbulent transport is an important next step. The reduction of ion-temperature-gradient-driven turbulence has been achieved via shaping of the magnetic field, and the reduction of trapped-electron mode (TEM) turbulence is adressed in the present paper. Recent analytical and numerical findings suggest TEMs are stabilised when a large fraction of trapped particles experiences favourable bounce-averaged curvature. This is the case for example in Wendelstein 7-X [C.D. Beidler $textit{et al}$ Fusion Technology $bf{17}$, 148 (1990)] and other Helias-type stellarators. Using this knowledge, a proxy function was designed to estimate the TEM dynamics, allowing optimal configurations for TEM stability to be determined with the STELLOPT [D.A. Spong $textit{et al}$ Nucl. Fusion $bf{41}$, 711 (2001)] code without extensive turbulence simulations. A first proof-of-principle optimised equilibrium stemming from the TEM-dominated stellarator experiment HSX [F.S.B. Anderson $textit{et al}$, Fusion Technol. $bf{27}$, 273 (1995)] is presented for which a reduction of the linear growth rates is achieved over a broad range of the operational parameter space. As an important consequence of this property, the turbulent heat flux levels are reduced compared with the initial configuration.
A good understanding of the confinement of energetic ions in non-axisymmetric magnetic fields is key for the design of reactors based on the stellarator concept. In this work, we develop a model that, based on the radially-local bounce-averaged drift-kinetic equation, classifies orbits and succeeds in predicting configuration-dependent aspects of the prompt losses of energetic ions in stellarators. Such a model could in turn be employed in the optimization stage of the design of new devices.
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