Transport physics of ASDEX Upgrade current ramps: experiment and theory

Interpretative analysis of experimental data from the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak current ramps-up and ramps-down is carried out to shed light on the properties of confinement and transport in these particular phases of the plasma discharge. It is found that the two ramps are similar in parameters evolution, but are not symmetric with respect to the current level, for several reasons that will be elucidated. Theory-based energy transport modeling allows to understand the underlying transport processes at play, although there are limitations in describing the edge part of the plasma at very low currents, in particular during ramp-up. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. Finally, the relevant turbulence (linear) regime is identified simultaneously with calculations of quasi-linear particle transport, showing that a broad range of modes, from Trapped Electron Modes (TEM) to Ion Temperature Gradient (ITG) modes, is explored during both the ramp-up and ramp-down.