Statistical dynamics of dissipative drift wave turbulence

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859851· OSTI ID:5727452

Gang, F Y ^[1]; Diamond, P H ^[2]; Crotinger, J A; Koniges, A E ^[3]

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1. Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 (USA)
2. Department of Physics, B-019, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (USA) General Atomics, San Diego, California 92138 (USA)
3. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 (USA)

The statistical dynamics of a two-field model of dissipative drift wave turbulence is investigated using the EDQNM (eddy damped quasinormal Markovian) closure method (J. Fluid Mech. {bold 41}, 363 (1970)). The analyses include studies of statistical closure equations, derivation of an H theorem, and its application to formulation of selective decay hypotheses for turbulent relaxation process. The results show that the dynamics of the two-field model is fundamentally different from that of the familiar, one-field Hasegawa--Mima model (Phys. Fluids {bold 21}, 87 (1978)). In particular, density fluctuations nonlinearly couple to small scales, as does enstrophy. This transfer process is nonlinearly regulated by the dynamics of the density--vorticity cross correlation. Since density perturbations are not simply related to potential perturbations, as is vorticity, their transfer rate is greater. As a result, turbulent relaxation processes exhibit both dynamic alignment of density and vorticity and coherent vortex formation.

• DOE Contract Number: FG05-80ET53088; W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5727452
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 3:4; ISSN PFBPE; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700103* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Kinetics
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
COUPLING
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRIFT INSTABILITY
ENERGY LOSSES
ENTROPY
FLUCTUATIONS
FUNCTIONALS
FUNCTIONS
INSTABILITY
LOSSES
MARKOV PROCESS
MECHANICS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
RELAXATION
REVIEWS
STATISTICAL MECHANICS
STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TURBULENCE
VARIATIONS