Analysis of indefinite divertor footprint with proper orthogonal decomposition in hydrogen/deuterium plasmas in LHD

Abstract

Divertor particle flux signals on divertor plates were analyzed with the multivariable analysis technique, namely, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), to characterize the indefinite divertor footprint in the Large Helical Device. To verify whether isotope effects exist in relation to the divertor plasmas, the POD outputs in hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) plasmas were first compared by analyzing a number of discharges. It was found that the dominant components of the divertor particle flux profiles in H and D plasmas were similar, indicating no isotope effect. In addition, total reconstructed divertor particle fluxes in H plasmas were higher than those in D plasmas, suggesting an isotope effect. Furthermore, the footprint-profile modification with from the SOL-side to the private-side peak due to the edge electron pressure gradient in H and D plasmas were slightly different, relating to an isotope effect. Keywords: Divertor footprint, Isotope effect, Langmuir probe, Proper orthogonal decomposition, LHD