Blob-hole correlation model for edge turbulence and comparisons with NSTX gas puff imaging data [Blob-hole correlation model for edge turbulence and comparisons with NSTX GPI data]

Myra, J. R.; Zweben, S. J.; Russell, D. A.

doi:10.1088/1361-6587/aac4fc

Blob-hole correlation model for edge turbulence and comparisons with NSTX gas puff imaging data [Blob-hole correlation model for edge turbulence and comparisons with NSTX GPI data]

Journal Article · Wed Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/aac4fc· OSTI ID:1440543

^[1]; ^[2]; Russell, D. A. ^[3]

Lodestar Research Corporation, Boulder, CO (United States); Lodestar Research Corporation
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Lodestar Research Corporation, Boulder, CO (United States)

We report that gas puff imaging (GPI) observations made in NSTX have revealed two-point spatial correlations of edge and scrape-off layer turbulence in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. A common feature is the occurrence of dipole-like patterns with significant regions of negative correlation. In this paper, we explore the possibility that these dipole patterns may be due to blob-hole pairs. Statistical methods are applied to determine the two-point spatial correlation that results from a model of blob-hole pair formation. It is shown that the model produces dipole correlation patterns that are qualitatively similar to the GPI data in several respects. Effects of the reference location (confined surfaces or scrape-off layer), a superimposed random background, hole velocity and lifetime, and background sheared flows are explored and discussed with respect to experimental observations. Additional analysis of the experimental GPI dataset is performed to further test this blob-hole correlation model. A time delay two-point spatial correlation study did not reveal inward propagation of the negative correlation structures that were postulated to correspond to holes in the data nor did it suggest that the negative correlation structures are due to neutral shadowing. However, tracking of the highest and lowest values (extrema) of the normalized GPI fluctuations shows strong evidence for mean inward propagation of minima and outward propagation of maxima, in qualitative agreement with theoretical expectations. Finally, other properties of the experimentally observed extrema are discussed.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Lodestar Research Corporation, Boulder, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) (SC-24)

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-02ER54678; FG02-97ER54392; AC02-09CH11466

OSTI ID:: 1440543

Report Number(s):: OE--ER/54678-12; DOE--ER/54392-89; LRC--18-174

Journal Information:: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Journal Name: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 60; ISSN 0741-3335

Publisher:: IOP ScienceCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited By (1)

Blob-hole correlation model for edge turbulence and comparisons with NSTX GPI data Myra, J.; Zweben, S.; Russell, D. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States) https://doi.org/10.11578/1562021	dataset	January 2018