Optimization and modeling of the Columbia Stellarator eXperiment (CSX)

The Columbia Stellarator eXperiment (CSX) will build on the success of the Columbia Non-neutral Torus (CNT) to confine a compact quasiaxisymmetric plasma with two interlinked HTS magnets. We aim to validate physics of quasiaxisymmetry, such as reduced flow damping and trapped particle confinement, as well as address open questions in stellarator physics, such as interchange-driven turbulence. Furthermore, CSX will drive technology development through the application of non-planar HTS magnets wound on a 3D-printed bobbin. The coil shapes are optimized to generate a low aspect-ratio quasiaxisymmetric field while satisfying experimental and HTS strain constraints through single-stage optimization techniques. Despite the constrained optimization space, we present several candidate configurations with aspect ratio < 2 and average quasisymmetry errors < 4%.