X-point radiator and power exhaust control in configurations with multiple X-points in TCV

Novel power exhaust solutions are being developed to address the challenge of integrating a high performance fusion core plasma with a well-protected divertor, if the single null configuration does not scale to a reactor device. This work aims to elucidate the physics mechanisms responsible for the reduction in peak target heat flux in configurations with multiple X-points. Experimental studies on tokamak à configuration variable in the Snowflake Minus configuration are extended to a novel configuration with three nearby divertor X-points, termed a Jellyfish, allowing us to enhance the expected effects of an additional divertor X-point. These studies are complemented by simplified 1D scrape-off layer (SOL) modeling with the SPLEND1D code and by interpretative modeling with the edge transport code EMC3-EIRENE applied to the Snowflake Minus, to further elucidate some of the key underlying processes. We find that configurations with multiple nearby X-points, and increased near-SOL connection length, exhibit reductions in peak target heat flux and an earlier detachment onset compared to a reference single null configuration, consistent with expectations from SPLEND1D. A strong correlation is experimentally observed between the radially localized radiated power and connection length. While this does not necessarily map to higher total divertor radiative losses for configurations with multiple X-points, it can, at least, provide some control over the radial position of the spatial radiation distribution. Experiments are shown to exhibit radial striations in the emissivity of multiple spectral lines in the inter-null region in these configurations. Although comparisons with EMC3-EIRENE simulations support enhanced cross field transport in the inter-null region, additional transport physics is required in the model to obtain a quantitative match with experiment. No significant differences in divertor-core compatibility are attributed to the presence of additional divertor X-points. However, impurity source optimization is required in such geometries to ensure a low core impurity content is maintained.