Computation of generalised magnetic coordinates asymptotically close to the separatrix

Abstract

Integrals to calculate generalised magnetic coordinates from an input magnetic flux function asymptotically close to the separatrix are presented, and implemented in the GPEC/DCON code suite. These integrals allow characterisation of the magnetic equilibrium of a diverted tokamak, in magnetic coordinates, arbitrarily close to the last closed flux surface, avoiding the numerical issues associated with calculating diverging field line integrals near a magnetic x-point. These methods provide an important first step in the development of robust asymptotic equilibrium behaviour for spectral 3D MHD codes at the separatrix.