While several results have pointed to the existence of exactly quasisymmetric fields on a surface (Garren & Boozer, Phys. Fluids B, vol. 3, 1991, pp. 2805–2821; 2822–2834; Plunk & Helander, J. Plasma Phys., vol. 84, 2018, 905840205), we have obtained the first such solutions using a vacuum surface expansion formalism. We obtain a single nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation for a function $\eta$ such the field strength satisfies $B = B(\eta )$ . Closed-form solutions are obtained in cylindrical, slab and isodynamic geometries. Numerical solutions of the full nonlinear equations in general axisymmetric toroidal geometry are obtained, resulting in a class of quasihelical local vacuum equilibria near an axisymmetric surface. The analytic models provide additional insight into general features of the nonlinear solutions, such as localization of the surface perturbations on the inboard side. The local solutions thus obtained can be continued globally only for special initial surfaces.

Steady plasma flows have been studied almost exclusively in systems with continuous symmetry or in open domains. In the absence of continuous symmetry, the lack of a conserved quantity makes the study of flows intrinsically challenging. In a toroidal domain, the requirement of double periodicity for physical quantities adds to the complications. In particular, the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model of plasma steady state with the flow in a non-symmetric toroidal domain allows the development of singularities when the rotational transform of the magnetic field is rational, much like the equilibrium MHD model. In this work, we show that steady flows can still be maintained provided the rotational transform is close to rational and the magnetic shear is weak. We extend the techniques developed in carrying out perturbation methods to all orders for static MHD equilibrium by Weitzner (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 21, 2014, p. 022515) to MHD equilibrium with flows. We construct perturbative MHD equilibrium in a doubly periodic domain with nearly parallel flows by systematically eliminating magnetic resonances order by order. We then utilize an additional symmetry of the flow problem, first discussed by Hameiri (J. Math. Phys., vol. 22, 1981, pp. 2080–2088, § III), to obtain a generalized Grad–Shafranov equation for a class of non-symmetric three-dimensional MHD equilibrium with flows both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field. For this class of flows, we can obtain non-symmetric generalizations of integrals of motion, such as Bernoulli's function and angular momentum. Finally, we obtain the generalized Hamada conditions, which are necessary to suppress singular currents in such a system when the magnetic field lines are closed. We do not attempt to address the question of neoclassical damping of flows.

Understanding particle drifts in a non-symmetric magnetic field is of primary interest in designing optimized stellarators in order to minimize the neoclassical radial loss of particles. Quasisymmetry and omnigeneity, two distinct properties proposed to ensure radial localization of collisionless trapped particles in stellarators, have been explored almost exclusively for magnetic fields with nested flux surfaces. In this work, we examine radial particle confinement when all field lines are closed. We then study charged particle dynamics in the special case of a non-symmetric vacuum magnetic field with closed field lines obtained recently by Weitzner & Sengupta (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 27, 2020, 022509). These magnetic fields can be used to construct magnetohydrodynamic equilibria for low pressure. Expanding in the amplitude of the non-symmetric fields, we explicitly evaluate the omnigeneity and quasisymmetry constraints. We show that the magnetic field is omnigeneous in the sense that the drift surfaces coincide with the pressure surfaces. However, it is not quasisymmetric according to the standard definitions.

Stellarators are generically small current and low plasma beta devices. Often the construction of vacuum magnetic fields with good magnetic surfaces is the starting point for an equilibrium calculation. Although in cases with some continuous spatial symmetry, flux functions can always be found for vacuum magnetic fields, an analogous function does not, in general, exist in three dimensions. This work examines several simple equilibria and vacuum magnetic field problems with the intent of demonstrating the possibilities and limitations in the construction of such states. Starting with a simple vacuum magnetic field with closed field lines in a topological torus (toroidal shell with a flat metric), we obtain a self-consistent formal perturbation series using the amplitude of the non-symmetric vacuum fields as a small parameter. We show that systems possessing stellarator symmetry allow the construction order by order. We further indicate the significance of stellarator symmetry in the amplitude expansion of the full ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) problem as well. We then investigate the conditions that guarantee neighbouring flux surfaces given the data on one surface, by expanding in the distance from that surface. We show that it is much more difficult to find low shear vacuum fields with surfaces than force-free fields or ideal MHD equilibrium. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of a class of vacuum magnetic fields, analogous to 'snakes' observed in tokamaks, which can be expanded to all orders.

This document is the product of a stellarator community workshop, organized by the National Stellarator Coordinating Committee and referred to as Stellcon, that was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts in February 2016, hosted by MIT. The workshop was widely advertised, and was attended by 40 scientists from 12 different institutions including national labs, universities and private industry, as well as a representative from the Department of Energy. The final section of this document describes areas of community wide consensus that were developed as a result of the discussions held at that workshop. Areas where further study would be helpful to generate a consensus path forward for the US stellarator program are also discussed. The program outlined in this document is directly responsive to many of the strategic priorities of FES as articulated in “Fusion Energy Sciences: A Ten-Year Perspective (2015–2025)” [1]. The natural disruption immunity of the stellarator directly addresses “Elimination of transient events that can be deleterious to toroidal fusion plasma confinement devices” an area of critical importance for the US fusion energy sciences enterprise over the next decade. Another critical area of research “Strengthening our partnerships with international research facilities,” is being significantly advanced on the W7-X stellarator in Germany and serves as a test-bed for development of successful international collaboration on ITER. This report also outlines how materials science as it relates to plasma and fusion sciences, another critical research area, can be carried out effectively in a stellarator. Additionally, significant advances along two of the Research Directions outlined in the report; “Burning Plasma Science: Foundations—Next-generation research capabilities”, and “Burning Plasma Science: Long pulse—Sustainment of Long-Pulse Plasma Equilibria” are proposed.

Quasisymmetry and omnigeneity of an equilibrium magnetic field are two distinct properties proposed to ensure radial localization of collisionless trapped particles in any stellarator. These constraints are incompletely explored, but have stringent restrictions on a magnetic geometry. This work employs an analytical approach to understand the implications of the constraints. The particles move in an intrinsically three dimensional equilibrium whose representation is given by the earlier work of Weitzner and its extension here. For deeply trapped particles, a local equilibrium expansion around a minimum of the magnetic field strength along a magnetic line suffices. This analytical non-symmetric equilibrium solution enables explicit representation of the constraints. The results show that it is far easier to satisfy the omnigeneity condition than the quasisymmetry requirement. Correspondingly, there exists a large class of equilibrium close to quasisymmetry that remains omnigeneous while allowing inclusion of error fields, which may destroy quasisymmetry.

Previous work on this topic, [Weitzner, Phys. Plasmas 11, 866 (2004)], applicable in a system with toroidal symmetry, is extended to the case of a non-symmetric background equilibrium state. Maxwell's equations with the cold plasma dielectric tensor are used to represent the plasma-electromagnetic wave interaction. Away from the mode conversion region, geometrical optics adequately characterizes the wave propagation. A new, simpler derivation of the wave equations in the mode conversion region is given. Aside from one very special case in which a general plasma equilibrium behaves like a stratified medium, the previous results apply and highly effective mode conversion is found. The matching of the mode conversion solution to the geometrical optics solution, not previously examined, is discussed. A relatively weak condition on the perpendicular wave number near the resonance layer is found. Provided that the perpendicular wave number is small, it tends to zero at the mode conversion layer and the solutions match effectively.

Expansions of non-symmetric toroidal ideal magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with nested flux surfaces are carried out for two cases. The first expansion is in a topological torus in three dimensions, in which physical quantities are periodic of period 2π in y and z. Data is given on the flux surface x = 0. Despite the possibility of magnetic resonances the power series expansion can be carried to all orders in a parameter which measures the flux between x = 0 and the surface in question. Resonances are resolved by appropriate addition resonant fields, as by Weitzner, [Phys. Plasmas 21, 022515 (2014)]. The second expansion is about a circular magnetic axis in a true torus. It is also assumed that the cross section of a flux surface at constant toroidal angle is approximately circular. The expansion is in an analogous flux coordinate, and despite potential resonance singularities, may be carried to all orders. Non-analytic behavior occurs near the magnetic axis. Physical quantities have a finite number of derivatives there. The results, even though no convergence proofs are given, support the possibility of smooth, well-behaved non-symmetric toroidal equilibria.

This virtual issue is comprised of a collection of six papers that were presented at and are relevant to the mini-conference Mixing in fusion plasmas and the program 'Turbulent Mixing and Beyond'. The papers have been published as Invited Comments in regular monthly issues of Physica Scripta in 2014 and gathered together to form a virtual issue. Mixing in fusion plasmas was the invited mini-conference at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society (APS) Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) that was held on 11-15 November 2013 in Denver, Colorado, USA. The reader is cordially invited to examine these papers for information on the frontiers of plasma fusion research, and on the mini-conference's goals and structure.

An alternative representation of an ideal magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium is developed. The representation is a variation of one given by A. Salat, Phys. Plasmas 2, 1652 (1995). The system of equations is used to study the possibility of non-symmetric equilibria in a topological torus, here an approximate rectangular parallelopiped, with periodicity in two of the three rectangular coordinates. An expansion is carried out in the deviation of pressure surfaces from planes. Resonances are manifest in the process. Nonetheless, provided the magnetic shear is small, it is shown that it is possible to select the magnetic fields and flux surfaces in such a manner that no singularities appear on resonant surfaces. One boundary surface of the parallelopiped is not arbitrary but is dependent on the equilibrium in question. A comparison of the solution sets of axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric equilibria suggests that the latter have a wider class of possible boundary shapes but more restrictive rotational transform profiles. No proof of convergence of the series is given. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.