Comparing theory based and higher-order reduced models for fusion simulation data

We consider using regression to fit a theory-based log-linear ansatz, as well as higher order approximations, for the thermal energy confinement of a Tokamak as a function of device features. We use general linear models based on total order polynomials, as well as deep neural networks. The results indicate that the theory-based model fits the data almost as well as the more sophisticated machines, within the support of the data set. The conclusion we arrive at is that only negligible improvements can be made to the theoretical model, for input data of this type.