The uncertainty quantification of the free boundary G–S plasma equilibrium calculation on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST)

Abstract The precision of plasma equilibrium is a pivotal issue in the field of magnetic confinement fusion plasma physics and the operation of tokamak plasmas. During the plasma equilibrium uncertainty quantification (UQ) assessment process, input parameters for the equilibrium solver were assigned default value ranges derived from Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak experimental data. These input parameters were subsequently processed by an encoder, decoder, and analyzer uncertainty assessment framework. The outcomes of the UQ assessment process provide insights into the calculated equilibrium output uncertainty and its sensitivity analysis. From sensitivity analysis results, the rankings of influence for equilibrium input parameters on the calculated safety factor q profile, plasma shape, toroidal cross-section magnetic field distribution, plasma pressure, and 0D outputs were presented.