ANSYS HFSS as a new numerical tool to study wave propagation inside anisotropic magnetized plasmas in the Ion Cylotron Range of Frequencies

Abstract

The paper demonstrates the possibility to use ANSYS HFSS as a versatile simulating tool for antennas facing inhomogeneous anisotropic magnetized plasmas in the Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF). The methodology used throughout the paper is first illustrated with a uniform plasma case. We then extend this method to 1D plasma density profiles where we perform a first benchmark against the ANTITER II code. The possibility to include more complex phenomena relevant to the ICRF field in future works like the lower hybrid resonance, the edge propagation of slow waves, sheaths and ponderomotive forces is also discussed. We finally present a 3D case for WEST and compare the radiation resistance calculated by the code to the experimental data. The main result of this paper - the implementation of a cold plasma medium in HFSS - is general and we hope it will also benefit to research fields besides controlled fusion.