Coupling the TRANSP code to FAR3D for Kinetic Stability Calculations

A new capability for MHD and kinetic stability analysis is being added to the tokamak transport analysis code TRANSP by coupling it to existing stability codes. To accomplish this, we have established a standard equilibrium interface for communication between the codes. As a proof-of-concept, TRANSP has been coupled to the gyro-Landau fluid kinetic stability code FAR3D using this interface and additional kinetic profile data passed by file exchange. The FAR3D code can be invoked via library call at arbitrary times during a TRANSP run, tracking growth rates, real frequencies, and mode structures of the most unstable Alfvén eigenmodes during the course of the discharge. Validation tests will be presented based on a well-characterized DIII-D discharge with Alfvénic activity.