1-1/2D Transport Studies of ITER Burn Control Scenarios

Reference operating scenarios for the physics phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) rely on low temperature, high density operation for good divertor performance. Operating points in this region are usually thermally unstable, and active burn control is required in order to maintain the selected operating point. We present transport simulations of ITER burn control scenarios with modulated neutral beam heating, using the 1-1/2D transport code WHIST. Our results indicate that control is possible, except at high densities (≥ 1.75 × 10²⁰ m⁻³) where off-axis heating due to the poor beam penetration makes control problematic, especially for negative perturbations.