Nonlinear evolution of drift instabilities

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5267877· OSTI ID:5267877

Lee, W W; Krommes, J A; Oberman, C R; Smith, R A

The nonlinear evolution of collisionless drift instabilities in a shear-free magnetic field has been studied by means of gyrokinetic particle simulation as well as numerical integration of model mode-coupling equations. The purpose of the investigation is to identify relevant nonlinear mechanisms responsible for the steady-state drift wave fluctuations. It is found that the saturation of the instability is mainly caused by the nonlinear E x B convection of the resonant electrons and their associated velocity space nonlinearity. The latter also induces energy exchange between the competing modes, which, in turn, gives rise to enhanced diffusion. The nonlinear E x B convection of the ions, which contributes to the nonlinear frequency shift, is also an important ingredient for the saturation.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 5267877
• Report Number(s): PPPL-2069; ON: DE84007438
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DRIFT INSTABILITY
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
COUPLING
DIFFUSION
PLASMA SIMULATION
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TURBULENCE
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
INSTABILITY
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
SIMULATION
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700107* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Instabilities