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Title: Direct Observation of Nonlinear Coupling between Pedestal Modes Leading to the Onset of Edge Localized Modes

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [3]
  1. Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
  2. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
  3. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Prior to eruptive events such as edge localized modes (ELMs), quasicoherent fluctuations, referred to as pedestal modes, are observed in the edge of fusion devices. We report on the investigations of nonlinear coupling between these modes during quasistationary inter-ELM phases leading to the ELM onset. Three dominant modes, with density and magnetic signatures, are identified as key players in the triggering mechanism of certain classes of ELMs. We demonstrate that one of these modes is amplified by the two others through three wave interactions. The amplified mode is radially shifted relative to the other two modes towards the last-closed flux surface as the ELM event approaches. Our results suggest that nonlinear coupling of pedestal modes, associated with radial distortions pushing out of the pedestal, is a possible mechanism for the triggering of low frequency ELMs relevant for future fusion devices.

Research Organization:
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-09CH11466; FG02-08ER54999; FG02-08ER54984; FC02- 04ER54698; FC02-04ER54698
OSTI ID:
1485145
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1484327; OSTI ID: 1556874
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Vol. 121, Issue 23; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 28 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

Blob wakes in NSTX journal July 2019
Phase-mixing v.s. phase synchronization in the dynamics of flow-shear induced edge transport barrier journal July 2019
Experimental observation of coexisting electromagnetic fluctuations correlating with the inter-ELM pedestal evolution on EAST journal December 2019
Nonlinear mode coupling induced high frequency axisymmetric mode on the HL-2A tokamak journal June 2019
Role of the pedestal position on the pedestal performance in AUG, JET-ILW and TCV and implications for ITER journal June 2019