Runaway electron generation in tokamak disruptions

Journal article, 2009

Runaway electrons can be generated in disruptions by the Dreicer, hot tail and avalanche mechanisms. Analytical and numerical results for hot tail runaway generation are included in a one-dimensional model of electric field, temperature and runaway current, which is applied to simulate disruptions and fast shutdown. The peaked shape of the runaway current density profile may cause tearing modes to become unstable. Fast shutdown is studied by prescribing varying amounts of injected impurities. Large argon content suppresses runaways in JET simulations but causes hot tail generation in ITER. A pellet code is coupled to the runaway model, and it is extended to enable simulations of carbon doped deuterium pellet injection. Such pellets are seen not to give enough cooling for a fast current quench.