Small-Scale Turbulence in a Closed-Field-Line Geometry
Journal Article
·
· Physical Review Letters
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755 (United States)
Plasma turbulence due to small-scale entropy modes is studied with gyrokinetic simulations in a simple closed-field-line geometry, the Z pinch, in low-{beta} parameter regimes that are stable to ideal interchange modes. We find an enormous variation in the nonlinear dynamics and particle transport as a function of two main parameters, the density gradient and the plasma collisionality. This variation is explained in part by the damping and stability properties of spontaneously formed zonal flows in the system. As in toroidal systems, the zonal flows can lead to a strong nonlinear suppression of transport below a critical gradient that is determined by the stability of the zonal flows.
- OSTI ID:
- 20861483
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 24 Vol. 97; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Particle Pinch in Gyrokinetic Simulations of Closed Field-Line Systems
Effects of Collisional Zonal Flow Damping on Turbulent Transport
Role of Zonal Flow in Turbulent Transport Scaling
Journal Article
·
Thu Dec 02 23:00:00 EST 2010
· Physical Review Letters
·
OSTI ID:21554449
Effects of Collisional Zonal Flow Damping on Turbulent Transport
Technical Report
·
Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1999
·
OSTI ID:13839
Role of Zonal Flow in Turbulent Transport Scaling
Conference
·
Tue Nov 14 23:00:00 EST 2000
·
OSTI ID:768652