Achieving a robust grassy-ELM operation regime in CFETR

We have identified a robust grassy-edge localized mode (ELM) operation regime for future tokamak reactors. The regime exists within a pedestal top electron collisionality (ν *) window at high global poloidal beta (β p). The existence of an upper ν * limit for grassy-ELMs is consistent with results previously reported in experiments (Oyama et al 2010 Nucl. Fusion 50 064014), while the existence of a lower ν * limit has not been reported previously. Using EPED and BOUT  +  +, a theoretical model that quantitatively explains the physics of the grassy-ELMs within the window, which distinguishes them from the small mixed-ELMs at lower ν *, is presented for the first time. A peeling-ballooning stability boundary is obtained by scanning the operating density space. The change in density corresponds to a change in ν * that affects the pedestal bootstrap current. High β p leads to a strong Shafranov shift, which affects the flux surface averaged pressure drive. The two effects combine to create a peeling-dominated window in intermediate ν * buffered by ballooning-dominated regimes. Only the peeling-dominated regime shows a cyclic behavior in the perturbed pressure during the nonlinear simulation of an ELM crash, reminiscent of grassy-ELM dynamics. Similarly, the energy released across the separatrix is demonstrated to be significantly smaller. The quick recovery of the ELM crash is explainable by the rapid rise of a low n kink-peeling instability when the pedestal current Iped exceeds a threshold at high β p. It minimizes the excursion beyond marginal stability and is absent in the ballooning-dominated regime. Comparison with recent experiments over a range of β p and ν * strongly supports the physical picture proposed by the modeling.