Production and observation of the ion-temperature-gradient instability

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.860249· OSTI ID:5068446

Chen, J; Sen, A K ^[1]; Migliuolo, S ^[2]

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1. Plasma Research Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027 (United States)
2. Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States)

The Columbia Linear Machine has been modified to produce and study the slab branch of the ion-temperature-gradient instability (Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 66}, 429 (1991)). A unique heating scheme with biased meshes has been installed to yield a peaked ion temperature and flattish density profiles. Under these conditions, the parameter {eta}{sub {ital i}} (={ital d} ln {ital T}{sub {ital i}}/{ital d} ln {ital N}) exceeds the critical value and a strong instability has been observed. Based on observations of the azimuthal and axial wavelengths, the real frequency, and increasing mode amplitude with increasing inverse-ion-temperature-gradient scale length, it is identified as the {eta}{sub {ital i}} mode. Finally, computational results from a nonlocal theory of the {eta}{sub {ital i}} mode corroborate the existence of an instability with the observed azimuthal mode number, axial wavelength, real frequency, and radial structure.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-87ER53257
• OSTI ID: 5068446
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 4:3; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700310 -- Plasma Confinement-- (1992-)
700340* -- Plasma Waves
Oscillations
& Instabilities-- (1992-)
CONFINEMENT
DAMPING
DISPERSION RELATIONS
DRIFT INSTABILITY
HEATING
HOT PLASMA
INSTABILITY
ION ACOUSTIC WAVES
ION DRIFT
ION TEMPERATURE
ION WAVES
LANDAU DAMPING
LARMOR RADIUS
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA WAVES
SLABS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TURBULENCE