INGRID: an interactive grid generator for 2D edge plasma modeling

TL;DR

INGRID is a flexible Python tool that generates computational grids for 2D boundary plasma modeling in fusion devices, accommodating complex magnetic geometries with X-points through an interactive or scripted process.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, user-friendly grid generator capable of handling various magnetic configurations with X-points, enhancing modeling accuracy and flexibility.

Findings

Successfully generates grids for single-null and double-null configurations.

Demonstrates robustness and user-friendliness in diverse magnetic geometries.

Supports both interactive and scripted workflows.

Abstract

A fusion boundary-plasma domain is defined by axisymmetric magnetic surfaces where the geometry is often complicated by the presence of one or more X-points; and modeling boundary plasmas usually relies on computational grids that account for the magnetic field geometry. The new grid generator INGRID (Interactive Grid Generator) presented here is a Python-based code for calculating grids for fusion boundary plasma modeling, for a variety of configurations with one or two X-points in the domain. Based on a given geometry of the magnetic field, INGRID first calculates a skeleton grid which consists of a small number of quadrilateral patches; then it puts a subgrid on each of the patches, and joins them in a global grid. This domain partitioning strategy makes possible a uniform treatment of various configurations with one or two X-points in the domain. This includes single-null, double-null, and other configurations with two X-points in the domain. The INGRID design allows generating grids either interactively, via a parameter-file driven GUI, or using a non-interactive script-controlled workflow. Results of testing demonstrate that INGRID is a flexible, robust, and user-friendly grid-generation tool for fusion boundary-plasma modeling.