Benchmarking a hybrid MHD/kinetic code with C-2 experimental data

The C-2 device creates field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas via the dynamic merging of two compact toroids and heated with neutral beams.\footnote{M. Tuszewski et al., \textit{Phys. Rev. Lett.} \textbf{108}, 255008 (2012).} Simulations of these plasmas are performed with Q2D - a hybrid MHD/Monte Carlo code that evolves the plasma according to the resistive MHD equations and treats the neutral beam injected fast ions as a minority kinetic species.\footnote{M. Onofri et al., this conference} Recent Q2D runs have resulted in testable predictions, namely that the axial profile of the fast ions is double-peaked, and charge-exchange neutrals are localized in pitch-angle. In some simulations, the fast particle population can induce magnetic fluctuations. These fluctuations are largest in the radial component, have a characteristic frequency approximately equal to the fast ion bounce frequency ($f \approx $ 150 kHz), and a broad $k$ spectrum. These fluctuations have the beneficial effect of smoothing out the double-peaked axial fast ion density profile, resulting in an increased fast ion density at the mid-plane. We will present results from a benchmarking study to quantitatively compare the results of Q2D runs to existing C-2 experimental data.