Nonlinear radial propagation of drift wave turbulence

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.865535· OSTI ID:5517243

Prakash, M; Chu, C K; Hasegawa, A

The linear and the nonlinear radial propagation of drift wave energy in an inhomogeneous plasma is studied numerically based on model equations of Hasegawa--Mima for the collisionless case and of Hasegawa--Wakatani--Taniuti--Kaw for the collisional case. In the linear regime the drift wave energy spreads out symmetrically along the direction of inhomogeneity with a finite group velocity. In the nonlinear regime for the collisionless case the radially located drift wave energy is found to propagate in the radial direction. However, the direction of propagation depends on the initial parameters of the pulse. In the collisional case the energy is found to propagate in the direction of decreasing resistivity. These results provide qualitative insights into the phenomenon of drift wave turbulence observed in tokamak plasmas.

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
• OSTI ID: 5517243
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 29:8; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700105 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical-- (-1987)
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
DRIFT INSTABILITY
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
INSTABILITY
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
TURBULENCE