3-D discrete dispersion relation, numerical stability, and accuracy of the hybrid FDTD model for cold magnetized toroidal plasma

The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method in cylindrical coordinates is used to describe electromagnetic wave propagation in a cold magnetized plasma. This enables us to study curvature effects in toroidal plasma. We derive the discrete dispersion relation of this FDTD scheme and compare it with the exact solution. The accuracy analysis of the proposed method is presented. We also provide a stability proof for nonmagnetized uniform plasma, in which case the stability condition is the vacuum Courant condition. For magnetized cold plasma we investigate the stability condition numerically using the von Neumann method. We present some numerical examples which reproduce the dispersion relation, wave field structure and steady state condition for typical plasma modes

Microhardness and Young's modulus of high burn-up UO2 fuel

Vickers microhardness (HV0.1) and Young's modulus (E) measurements of LWR UO2 fuel at burn-up > 60 GWd/tHM are presented. Their ratio HV0.1/E was found constant in the range 60-110 GWd/tHM. From the ratio and the microhardness values vs porosity, the Young's modulus dependence on porosity was derived and extended to the full radial profile, including the high burn-up structure (HBS). The dependence is well represented by a linear correlation. The data were compared to fuel performance codes correlations. A burn-up dependent factor was introduced in the Young's modulus expression. The modifications extend the experimental validation range of the TRANSURANUS correlation from unirradiated to irradiated UO2 and up to 20% porosity. First simulations of LWR fuel rod irradiations were performed in order to illustrate the impact on fuel performance. In the specific cases selected, the simulations suggest a limited effect of the Young's modulus decrease due to burn-up on integral fuel performance