Coupled kinetic-fluid simulations on sputtering and transport of intrinsic carbon impurity in HL-3
Journal article, 2026
Carbon impurity sputtering and transport in the HL-3 tokamak are investigated using the time-dependent JOREK kinetic-fluid coupled framework with an updated sputtering model. Physical sputtering, chemical sputtering, and self-sputtering are treated simultaneously, with their yields evaluated dynamically from the evolving local plasma conditions. In the axisymmetric simulations, physical sputtering is localized near the strike point, whereas chemical sputtering extends over a broader target region. The sputtered carbon is subsequently transported along the divertor and scrape-off-layer flux tubes and exhibits a pronounced high-field-side/low-field-side asymmetry. During the simulated edge-localized-mode burst, the rapid increases in target temperature and deuterium ion flux strongly enhance and broaden physical sputtering, while chemical sputtering is suppressed near the strike point. Self-sputtering remains a secondary contribution under the conditions considered. These results demonstrate that the different sputtering channels respond differently to transient divertor conditions and should be treated self-consistently when modeling carbon source formation and transport in HL-3.
Coupled kinetic-fluid simulation
HL-3
Carbon impurity sputtering
JOREK
Author
Z. Liang
Dalian University of Technology
Y. L. Liu
Dalian University of Technology
Y. Feng
Dalian University of Technology
S. Y. Dai
Dalian University of Technology
Matthias Hölzl
Max Planck Society
Chalmers, Physics, Subatomic, High Energy and Plasma Physics
A. Cathey
Max Planck Society
D. Hu
Beihang University
S. Q. Korving
ITER Organization
Y.-C. Liang
Max Planck Society
M. Szücs
Max Planck Society
Y. Zhang
Southwestern Institute of Physics China
D. Z. Wang
Dalian University of Technology
the JOREK Team
ITER Organization
Southwestern Institute of Physics China
Dalian University of Technology
Beihang University
Max Planck Society
Nuclear Materials and Energy
23521791 (eISSN)
Vol. 48 102206Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon Europe through a joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium
European Commission (EC) (101052200), 2021-01-01 -- 2025-12-31.
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Other Physics Topics
Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology
DOI
10.1016/j.nme.2026.102206