Stability threshold of ion temperature gradient driven mode in reversed field pinch plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3039895· OSTI ID:21259724

Guo, S C ^[1]

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1. Consorzio RFX, Associazione Euratom-ENEA sulla fusione, Corso Stati Uniti 4, Padova 35127 (Italy)

For the first time in the reversed field pinch (RFP) configuration, the stability threshold of the ion temperature gradient driven (ITG) mode is studied by linear gyrokinetic theory. In comparison with tokamaks, the RFP configuration has a shorter connection length and stronger magnetic curvature drift. These effects result in a stronger instability driving mechanism and a larger growth rate in the fluid limit. However, the kinetic theory shows that the temperature slopes required for the excitation of ITG instability are much steeper than the tokamak ones. This is because the effect of Landau damping also becomes stronger due to the shorter connection length, which is dominant and ultimately determines the stability threshold. The required temperature slope for the instability may only be found in the very edge of the plasma and/or near the border of the dominant magnetic island during the quasi-single helicity state of discharge.

• OSTI ID: 21259724
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 15; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ION TEMPERATURE
LANDAU DAMPING
MAGNETIC ISLANDS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
REVERSE-FIELD PINCH
STABILITY
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TOKAMAK DEVICES