Global gyrokinetic analysis of Wendelstein 7-X discharge: unveiling the importance of trapped-electron-mode and electron-temperature-gradient turbulence

Abstract

Abstract We present the first nonlinear, gyrokinetic, radially global simulation of a discharge of the Wendelstein 7-X-like stellarator, including kinetic electrons, an equilibrium radial electric field, as well as electromagnetic and collisional effects. By comparison against flux-tube and full-flux-surface simulations, we assess the impact of the equilibrium ExB-flow and flow shear on the stabilisation of turbulence. In contrast to the existing literature, we further provide substantial evidence for the turbulent electron heat flux being driven by trapped-electron-mode and electron-temperature-gradient turbulence in the core of the plasma. The former manifests as a hybrid together with ion-temperature-gradient turbulence and is primarily driven by the finite electron temperature gradient, which has largely been neglected in nonlinear stellarator simulations presented in the existing literature.