Validation of integrated modeling of KSTAR plasmas with carbon divertor using JINTRAC and prediction for tungsten divertor
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The JINTRAC integrated modeling suite has been adapted for the KSTAR tokamak, with its primary goal being the establishment of a core-edge integrated modeling framework for predictive analysis of KSTAR plasmas. This framework was validated by benchmarking JINTRAC’s physics modules against both established codes and experimental data from a KSTAR carbon (C) divertor discharge (#25458), demonstrating high fidelity. Based on the validation, predictive core-edge coupled simulations were performed to investigate the effects of changing the divertor material from C to tungsten (W). The simulations predicted a significant increase in core radiation and a corresponding decrease in plasma temperatures, consistent with the behavior of high- Z materials. Specifically, the high tungsten influx causes radiative cooling in the pedestal and core regions, leading to a reduction in edge bootstrap current and a compensatory increase in core inductive current. This redistribution of current density drops the central safety factor ( q 0 ) below unity, triggering sawtooth instability which serves to suppress core impurity accumulation. Sensitivity analysis indicated that while toroidal rotation exhibits a non-monotonic correlation with tungsten profile peaking, the total tungsten inventory and radiated power ( P rad ) increased with higher rotation. Additionally, increasing the separatrix electron density effectively suppressed the tungsten source at the divertor target, yet the reduction in core tungsten inventory was limited compared to the extent of source reduction. These findings imply that achieving high-performance operation requires a comprehensive control strategy that minimizes the absolute impurity influx across the separatrix through combined source suppression and transport control.
Authors: B S Kim, S H Kim, F Köchl, F J Casson, R Futtersack, C Y Lee, S C Hong, J G Lee, B Kim, Y-S Na
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,325
OpenAlex ID: W7202040415