Electron temperature gradient driven microtearing mode

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.863119· OSTI ID:5332249

Gladd, N T; Drake, J F; Chang, C L; Liu, C S

The linear stability theory of an electron temperature gradient driven microtearing mode, an instability recently proposed as a possible cause for anomalous electron thermal transport in tokamaks, is considered. The theory is electromagnetic and is carried out within the context of a slab model with a sheared magnetic field. In contrast to the linear theory of drift waves, where any magnetic shear is completely stabilizing, shear may actually increase the growth rate of microtearing modes. The crucial feature required for instability is the energy dependence of electron-ion collisions. The mode is shown to be unstable for electron temperature gradients and degrees of collisionality typical of present day tokamaks. It is found that previous theories of these modes were based on assumptions which are not, in general, justified; a case in point being the fact that the usually neglected electrostatic effects are actually quite important in producing instability.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
• OSTI ID: 5332249
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 23:6; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
COLLISIONS
ELECTRON COLLISIONS
ELECTRON-ION COLLISIONS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY DEPENDENCE
FERMIONS
FLUCTUATIONS
INSTABILITY
ION COLLISIONS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NORMAL-MODE ANALYSIS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
SHEAR
TEARING INSTABILITY
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TRANSPORT THEORY
VARIATIONS