Shear flows induced by nonlinear evolution of double tearing modes

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2969435· OSTI ID:21120490

Zhengxiong, Wang; Kishimoto, Y; Li, J Q ^[1]; Xiaogang, Wang ^[2]; Dong, J Q ^[3]

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1. Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Gokasyo, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011 (Japan)
2. State Key Lab of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)
3. Southwestern Institute of Physics, P.O. Box 432, Chengdu 610041 (China) and Institute for Fusion Theory and Simulation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China)

Shear flows induced by nonlinear evolution of double tearing modes are investigated in a resistive magnetohydrodynamic model with slab geometry. It is found that intensive and thin poloidal shear flow layers are generated in the magnetic island region driven by coupled reconnection process at both rational surfaces. The structure of the flow layers keeps evolving after the merging of magnetic separatrices and forms a few narrow vortices along the open field lines in the final stage of magnetic reconnection. The effects of the distance between both rational surfaces and the initial magnetic shear on the nonlinear evolution of the plasma flows are also taken into consideration and the relevant mechanism is discussed.

• OSTI ID: 21120490
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 15; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
GEOMETRY
LAYERS
MAGNETIC ISLANDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MODE RATIONAL SURFACES
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA
SHEAR
TEARING INSTABILITY
VORTICES