Pyrokinetics - A Python library to standardise gyrokinetic analysis

Abstract

Fusion energy offers the potential for a near limitless source of low-carbon energy and is often regarded as a solution for the world’s long-term energy needs. To realise such a scenario requires the design of high-performance fusion reactors capable of maintaining the extreme conditions necessary to enable fusion. Turbulence is typically the dominant source of transport in magnetically-confined fusion plasmas, accounting for the majority of the particle and heat losses. Gyrokinetic modelling aims to quantify the level of turbulent transport encountered in fusion reactors and can be used to understand the major drivers of turbulence. The realisation of fusion critically depends on understanding how to mitigate turbulent transport, and thus requires high levels of confidence in the predictive tools being employed. Many different gyrokinetic modelling codes are available and Pyrokinetics aims to standardise the analysis of such computationally demanding simulations