Code-to-code comparison of SOLPS-ITER and SONIC edge transport codes in JT-60SA tokamak plasma conditions

Plasma boundary codes are widely used to interpret and predict SOL/divertor plasmas. The comparison of results obtained by these codes is one of the options to improve the SOL/divertor plasma modelling by defining possible limitations and enhancing the fidelity of future simulations. The aim of this study is to validate the transport models of SOL/divertor transport codes SOLPS-ITER and SONIC by terms-to-terms comparison, from the viewpoint of physical explanation rather than the numerical viewpoint. In this study, the comparison of the results between SOLPS-ITER and SONIC on pure-D plasma conditions with attached and partially detached plasmas in JT-60SA has been performed as a first step of the benchmarking activity. The calculation conditions such as computational grids, boundary conditions, and atomic/molecule database, are set to be as close as possible. In summary, the comparison can be concluded that no substantial difference can be seen although some differences in the plasma parameters have been observed. The main difference can be seen as the higher ratio of pressure drop in SOLPS-ITER than SONIC in front of the divertors in the partially detached case. It was found that the difference can be understood by the following process. The initial difference originated from the electron temperature and ion temperature in the vicinity of divertor plates. The electron temperature in SONIC near outer strike point is slightly higher than that of SOLPS-ITER. The difference in the electron temperature results in broader D+ particle source by ionization of neutrals and higher D+ ion density. Higher D+ ion and neutral densities in SOLPS-ITER leads to a larger momentum loss by charge exchange and thus the plasma loses its pressure. This result suggests that the small difference in the initial plasma parameters can be propagated by the interaction between neutrals, which affects the estimation of degree of detachment.