Analysis of error field sources in TOKAMAK devices

摘要

Due to unavoidable tolerances in components construction and assembly, the actual magnetic field in Tokamak devices differs from the nominal one. The experimental studies nowadays available indicate a strong impact of the error fields on the plasma stability in next generation, large size, devices. Therefore, a careful preliminary analysis aimed at evaluating the impact of possible error field sources, to define tolerance ranges and assess the effect of current feeders, was envisaged before realization of ITER reactor. The paper discusses the tools used to perform ITER tolerance analysis, from the viewpoints of two possible approaches to tolerancing, which are statistical analysis and worst case analysis. The two methods aim to get different characterizations of devices performance, and a critical comparison of drawbacks and advantages of both methods is reported.