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Title: Linear signatures in nonlinear gyrokinetics: interpreting turbulence with pseudospectra

Journal Article · · New Journal of Physics

A notable feature of plasma turbulence is its propensity to retain features of the underlying linear eigenmodes in a strongly turbulent state—a property that can be exploited to predict various aspects of the turbulence using only linear information. In this context, this work examines gradient-driven gyrokinetic plasma turbulence through three lenses—linear eigenvalue spectra, pseudospectra, and singular value decomposition (SVD). We study a reduced gyrokinetic model whose linear eigenvalue spectra include ion temperature gradient driven modes, stable drift waves, and kinetic modes representing Landau damping. The goal is to characterize in which ways, if any, these familiar ingredients are manifest in the nonlinear turbulent state. This pursuit is aided by the use of pseudospectra, which provide a more nuanced view of the linear operator by characterizing its response to perturbations. We introduce a new technique whereby the nonlinearly evolved phase space structures extracted with SVD are linked to the linear operator using concepts motivated by pseudospectra. Using this technique, we identify nonlinear structures that have connections to not only the most unstable eigenmode but also subdominant modes that are nonlinearly excited. The general picture that emerges is a system in which signatures of the linear physics persist in the turbulence, albeit in ways that cannot be fully explained by the linear eigenvalue approach; a non-modal treatment is necessary to understand key features of the turbulence.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
FG02-04ER54742
OSTI ID:
1272650
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1272651; OSTI ID: 1326679
Journal Information:
New Journal of Physics, Journal Name: New Journal of Physics Vol. 18 Journal Issue: 7; ISSN 1367-2630
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 20 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (6)

Linear theory of electron-plasma waves at arbitrary collisionality journal April 2019
Saturation and nonlinear electromagnetic stabilization of ITG turbulence journal August 2019
Saturation scalings of toroidal ion temperature gradient turbulence journal January 2018
On the Rayleigh–Kuo criterion for the tertiary instability of zonal flows journal August 2018
Role of stable modes in driven shear-flow turbulence journal December 2018
Flow shear suppression of pedestal ion temperature gradient turbulence-A first principles theoretical framework journal June 2018