Theory of drift-wave eigenmodes in toroidal plasmas

Technical Report · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5968897· OSTI ID:5968897

Chen, L; Cheng, C Z

The eigenmode equation describing ballooning drift waves in toroidal plasmas is analyzed using the WKB method. Two branches of eigenmodes are identified. One is slab-like and the other is a new branch induced by the finite toroidicity. The slab-like eigenmodes correspond to unbounded states and experience finite shear damping. The toroidicity-induced eigenmodes, however, correspond to local quasibounded states with negligible shear damping. Both branches of eigenmodes may exist simultaneously. Corresponding analytical theories are also presented.

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ., NJ (USA). Plasma Physics Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-02-3073
• OSTI ID: 5968897
• Report Number(s): PPPL-1562
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
BALLOONING INSTABILITY
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DAMPING
DRIFT INSTABILITY
EIGENVALUES
INSTABILITY
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
SHEAR
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
WKB APPROXIMATION