The Sawtooth Oscillation Effect on Fast-Ion Energy Spectra in ITER Plasma and Neutral Particle Analyzer Measurements

Abstract

ITER plasma with parameters close to those with the inductive scenario is considered. The distribution functions of fast ions of deuterium D and tritium T are calculated while taking into account the elastic nuclear collisions with alpha particles ⁴He using the code FPP-3D. The D and T energy spectra detected by the neutral-particle analyzer (NPA) are determined. The plasma mixing effect on these spectra during sawtooth oscillations is studied. It is shown that the NPA makes it possible to detect sawtooth plasma oscillations in ITER and determine the percentage composition of the D‒T mixture in it both with the presence of instabilities and without them. A conclusion is drawn on the prospects of using NPA data in automatic controllers of thermonuclear fuel isotopic composition control and plasma oscillation regulation in ITER.