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Title: Global spectral investigation of plasma turbulence in gyrokinetic simulations

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2218330· OSTI ID:20860118
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Association Euratom-Tekes--Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 4100, FI-02015 TKK (Finland)

Gyrokinetic global particle-in-cell simulations for a small torus with a large aspect ratio ({epsilon}{sup -1}>{approx}7) indicate a k{sub perpendicular}{sup -{alpha}} spectrum for electrostatic turbulence. When electrons are treated kinetically, the simulation results fit {alpha} that grows from about 1 at the plasma core to about 3 at the plasma edge for the flux surface component of the wave vector perpendicular to the magnetic field, while for adiabatic electrons {alpha}=4 is found for all radii, in agreement with the Hasegawa-Mima model. The relation between spectra and transport is investigated through the formation of an internal transport barrier. The role of flow shear in suppressing turbulence is illustrated by spectral diagnostics. A strong dependence between the presence of small wavenumbers and transport is explicitly observed. The simulated spectra are compared to recent experimental results.

OSTI ID:
20860118
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 13, Issue 7; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2218330; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English