Long-range correlations induced by the self-regulation of zonal flows and drift-wave turbulence

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVE.82.056403· OSTI ID:21502856

Manz, P ^[1]; Ramisch, M; Stroth, U ^[2]

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1. Center for Energy Research, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California 92093 (United States)
2. Institut fuer Plasmaforschung, Universitaet Stuttgart, D-70569 Stuttgart (Germany)

By means of a unique probe array, the interaction between zonal flows and broad-band drift-wave turbulence has been investigated experimentally in a magnetized toroidal plasma. Homogeneous potential fluctuations on a magnetic flux surface, previously reported as long range correlations, could be traced back to a predator-prey-like interaction between the turbulence and the zonal flow. At higher frequency the nonlocal transfer of energy to the zonal flow is dominant and the low-frequency oscillations are shown to result from the reduced turbulence activity due to this energy loss. This self-regulation process turns out to be enhanced with increased background shear flows.

• OSTI ID: 21502856
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print), Vol. 82, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.82.056403; (c) 2010 The American Physical Society; ISSN 1539-3755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CORRELATIONS
ENERGY LOSSES
FLUCTUATIONS
MAGNETIC FLUX
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA
POTENTIALS
TURBULENCE
WAVE PROPAGATION
LOSSES
VARIATIONS