Non-linear effects on neutral gas transport in divertors

The effects of neutral particles on the condition of the plasma edge play a key role in divertor and limiter physics. In computational models they are usually treated in the linear test particle approximation. However, in some divertor concepts a large neutral gas pressure is required in the divertor chamber to provide sufficient neutral-plasma interaction in the plasma fan (momentum removal and energy dissipation) and to permit adequate pumping performance. In such regimes viscous effects in the neutral gas may become relevant. We have extended the EIRENE code to solve the Boltzmann equation with a non-linear BGK-model collision term added to its standard linear collision integrals. The linear in-elastic collision integrals are reconsidered with respect to volume recombination and momentum removal efficiency from the plasma. The numerical procedure in the EIRENE Monte Carlo code is outlined. A simple test application (Couette flow) shows that the procedure works properly. First numerical studies have been carried out and the results are discussed. (orig.)