Physics of internal transport barrier of toroidal helical plasmas

Journal Article · Thu Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2007 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2435310· OSTI ID:20974815

Itoh, K; Toda, S; Fujisawa, A; Itoh, S -I; Yagi, M; Fukuyama, A; Diamond, P H; Ida, K ^[1]

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1. National Institute for Fusion Science, Toki 509-5292 (Japan)

The role of zonal flows (ZFs) in the formation of an internal transport barrier in a toroidal helical plasma is analyzed. The turbulent transport coefficient is shown to be suppressed when the plasma state changes from the branch of a weak negative radial electric field to the strong positive one. This new transition of turbulent transport is caused by the change of the damping rate of the ZFs. It is clearly demonstrated, theoretically and experimentally, that the damping rate of the ZFs governs the global confinement of toroidal plasmas.

• OSTI ID: 20974815
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 14, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2435310; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DAMPING
ELECTRIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
STELLARATORS
TURBULENCE