Fully Parallel MHD Stability Code

Development of an economically and environmentally attractive fusion energy source is the goal of the Fusion Energy Sciences program. Numerical simulations of fusion plasmas are an important component of this program used in the design, operation and performance assessment of existing and proposed fusion experiments. Numerical stability analysis of plasma equilibrium is one of the most important steps in evaluating feasibility of different plasma confinement approaches. Axisymmetric toroidal magnetic plasma confinement devices, such as Tokamaks and Reversed Field Pinches, are considered as promising candidates for a future fusion reactor. An efficient numerical Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability analysis tool of axisymmetric equilibria is required for an accurate analysis of plasma confinement in these devices. FAR-TECH, Inc. proposes to parallelize code MARS, to extend its capabilities and to significantly improve its performance. MARS calculates eigenmodes in axisymmetric toroidal equilibria within the ideal MHD, resistive MHD and MHD-kinetic plasma models. The new parallel code will be able to handle an extended scope of physics problems which are too demanding to solve by currently available tools, making it the efficient MHD stability analysis tool much needed by the fusion community. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The code will be used in nuclear fusion research institutions in the design and performance assessment of existing and proposed fusion experiments. It will help to expand the knowledge base of plasma confinement in different regimes. The main public benefit of the project is the availability of an efficient tool which will be used in creation of safe, clean and economical energy source based on nuclear fusion. The developed parallel algorithm will also be used to study laboratory and astrophysical plasmas