Comparison of the TEP method for neutral particle transport in the plasma edge with the Monte Carlo method

The transmission/escape probability (TEP) method for neutral particle transport has recently been introduced and implemented for the calculation of 2-D neutral atom transport in the edge plasma and divertor regions of tokamaks. The results of an evaluation of the accuracy of the approximations made in the calculation of the basic TEP transport parameters are summarized. Comparisons of the TEP and Monte Carlo calculations for model problems using tokamak experimental geometries and for the analysis of measured neutral densities in DIII-D are presented. The TEP calculations are found to agree rather well with Monte Carlo results, for the most part, but the need for a few extensions of the basic TEP transport methodology and for inclusion of molecular effects and a better wall reflection model in the existing code is suggested by the study. (author)