Electromagnetic total-f algorithm for gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulations of boundary plasma in XGC

Abstract

The simplified delta-f mixed-variable/pull-back electromagnetic simulation algorithm implemented in XGC for core plasma simulations by Cole et al. [Phys. Plasmas 28, 034501 (2021)] has been generalized to a total-f electromagnetic algorithm that can include, for the first time, the boundary plasma in diverted magnetic geometry with neutral particle recycling, turbulence and neoclassical physics. The delta-f mixed-variable/pull-back electromagnetic implementation is based on the pioneering work by Kleiber and Mischenko et al. [Kleiber et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 032501 (2016); Mishchenko et al., Comput. Phys. Commun. 238, 194 (2019)]. An electromagnetic demonstration simulation is performed in a DIII-D-like, H-mode boundary plasma, including a corresponding comparative electrostatic simulation, which confirms that the electromagnetic simulation is necessary for a higher fidelity understanding of the electron particle and heat transport even at the low-beta pedestal foot in the vicinity of the magnetic separatrix.