A model for the fast evaluation of prompt losses of energetic ions in stellarators

TL;DR

This paper presents a new model based on the bounce-averaged drift-kinetic equation to quickly evaluate prompt losses of energetic ions in stellarators, aiding in reactor design optimization.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, efficient model for predicting energetic ion prompt losses in stellarators using a radially-local bounce-averaged drift-kinetic approach.

Findings

Successfully classifies ion orbits and predicts prompt losses.

Applicable to configuration-dependent stellarator designs.

Potentially useful for optimizing stellarator reactor configurations.

Abstract

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.